Experimental Analysis of Water Jet Dynamics Using an Improvised Jet Impact Apparatus

Abstract

This study presents an experimental analysis of water jet dynamics using an improvised jet impact apparatus. The research encompassed the design, construction, and testing of the apparatus to evaluate its performance. Testing involved determining and comparing theoretical and experimental impact forces under various experimental setups. These setups included different masses (70.0 g, 100.0 g, 150.0 g) and target vanes with varied angles of impact (90°, 29.5°, 180°). The target vanes were designed with flat, conical, and hemispherical surfaces. The results indicated that the improvised apparatus achieved an overall percentage error of 17.39% in determining impact forces. Among the configurations, the hemispherical target vane combined with a 100 g mass-produced the most accurate results, with a 7.04% error. The highest percentage error of 31.6% occurred with the flat target vane and a 70 g mass. These findings suggest that while the apparatus can yield precise results under optimal conditions (e.g., hemispherical vane and 100 g mass), it may produce less accurate measurements in other configurations. Despite its limitations, the improvised jet impact apparatus demonstrates utility as a teaching and learning tool for exploring fluid dynamics, particularly the behavior of water jets. It provides an accessible means of demonstrating fundamental concepts, even if not suited for experiments requiring high precision. Overall, the apparatus serves as a valuable resource for introducing students to the principles of jet impact and fluid dynamics.