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⚛️ Physics  ·  Mechanical Properties of Fluids  ·  NEET & JEE

Bernoulli's equation breaks down for:

Answer: Turbulent, viscous, or compressible flows.

  • A Turbulent, viscous, or compressible flows
  • B Slow, steady laminar flows of an ideal incompressible fluid
  • C Flows occurring at a uniformly low absolute pressure
  • D Flows confined to perfectly horizontal pipes of constant area

Correct answer: A. Turbulent, viscous, or compressible flows

Explanation: Bernoulli's equation applies to ideal fluid flow: inviscid, incompressible, steady, and irrotational (streamline). It fails for turbulent flow, viscous fluids, or compressible gases at high speeds.

Continuity Equation: Narrow Pipe → Faster FlowA₁, v₁ (wide, slow)A₂, v₂ (narrow, fast)A₁v₁ = A₂v₂ (continuity)Smaller area → higher speed → (by Bernoulli) LOWER pressure

Since the same volume of fluid must pass every cross-section per second (continuity), the fluid speeds up where the pipe narrows; Bernoulli's equation then says this faster-moving fluid has lower pressure - the principle behind a venturi meter and an aircraft wing's lift.

Concept context

Pressure, buoyancy, Bernoulli equation, viscosity, and surface tension.

Read the full Mechanical Properties of Fluids notes →