A suspension of glass beads in ethylene glycol has a hindered settling velocity of 1.7 mm/s, while the terminal settling velocity of a single glass bead in ethylene glycol is 17 mm/s. If the Richardson-Zaki hindered settling index is 4.5, the volume fraction of solids in the suspension is_____________?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The volume fraction (phi) can be found using the relationship: v_h / v_t = phi^m. Solving for phi gives approximately 0.6.