Question 19N.3.HL.TZ0.9
Date | November 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 6] | Reference code | 19N.3.HL.TZ0.9 |
Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ0 |
Command term | Determine, Explain | Question number | 9 | Adapted from | N/A |
A Pitot tube shown in the diagram is used to determine the speed of air flowing steadily in a horizontal wind tunnel. The narrow tube between points A and B is filled with a liquid. At point B the speed of the air is zero.
Explain why the levels of the liquid are at different heights.
[3]
air speed at A greater than at B/speed at B is zero
OR
total/stagnation pressure «PB» – static pressure «PA» = dynamic pressure ✔
so PA is less than at PB (or vice versa) «by Bernoulli effect» ✔
height of the liquid column is related to «dynamic» pressure difference «hence lower height in arm B» ✔

The density of the liquid in the tube is 8.7 × 102 kg m–3 and the density of air is 1.2 kg m–3. The difference in the level of the liquid is 6.0 cm. Determine the speed of air at A.
[3]
«»
difference in pressure «Pa» ✔
correct substitution into the Bernoulli equation, eg: ✔
«ms–1» ✔
