Rohit Velankar, a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School, sparked a scientific curiosity while pouring juice into a glass. His project began as a simple question about the influence of a container’s elasticity on the way its fluid drained. Little did he know that this initial curiosity would lead to a groundbreaking experiment that he would work on with his father, Sachin Velankar, a professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering.
Teaming up with his father, Rohit embarked on a journey to unravel the mystery behind the rhythmic “glug, glug, glug” sound. They set up an experiment in their family’s basement, which eventually resulted in their first joint paper being published in the journal Physics of Fluids. The experiment revealed that deli containers with rubber lids emptied faster than those with plastic lids, shedding light on the fascinating dynamics of fluid drainage.
To further explore the impact of a container’s flexibility on fluid drainage, the Velankars crafted their own acrylic bottles with rubber lids using resources available at Fox Chapel Area High School’s makerspace. By installing sensors near the bottom of each bottle to measure pressure oscillations with each glug, they were able to simulate different levels of flexibility by adjusting the diameter of the hole. Their findings confirmed that flexible bottles drained faster, albeit with larger and less frequent glugs.
This collaborative project between father and son not only provided valuable insights into the science behind the glugging sound but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research. By combining their expertise in engineering and physics, the Velankars were able to uncover the intricate relationship between a container’s elasticity and the dynamics of fluid drainage. Their study opens up new avenues for further research in fluid mechanics and container design, with potential applications in various industries.
Rohit and Sachin Velankar’s experiment serves as a testament to the power of curiosity and collaboration in scientific exploration. What started as a simple question about a familiar sound led to a comprehensive study that has the potential to impact multiple fields. As we reflect on this innovative project, we are reminded of the endless possibilities that emerge when we dare to question the world around us and embark on a journey of discovery.
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