Nonlinear Phenomena in a Column of Liquid in a Rotating Manometer

The stationary configuration of a column of liquid in a U-tube manometer rotating about an axis other than its axis of symmetry is predicted using a pressure distribution derived from Euler's equation and from the governing differential equation of motion. Nonlinear behavior is evident in that the stationary position of the liquid air interface will "jump" at critical values of the speed of rotation. A hysteresis effect is predicted in that the "jump" occurs at a different speed if the speed is being decreased rather than increased. Analysis defines regions of stable and unstable stationary positions.