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⚛️ Physics  ·  Mechanical Properties of Fluids  ·  NEET & JEE

Water (&rho; = 1000 kg m<sup>-3</sup>) speeds up from 3 m/s to 5 m/s along a horizontal pipe. The pressure drop is:

Answer: 8000 Pa.

  • A 4000 Pa
  • B 8000 Pa
  • C 16000 Pa
  • D 2000 Pa

Correct answer: B. 8000 Pa

Explanation: &Delta;P = &frac12;&rho;(v<sub>2</sub><sup>2</sup> - v<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup>) = 0.5 &times; 1000 &times; (25 - 9) = 8000 Pa.

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 →