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Bernoulli's continuity equation

Definition

Bernoulli's continuity equation is a principle in fluid dynamics that states that the product of the cross-sectional area and velocity of a fluid remains constant along a streamline, assuming no energy losses or gains.

Analogy

Imagine you have a water hose with different nozzle sizes. As you squeeze the nozzle to make it smaller, the water shoots out faster because the same amount of water needs to pass through a smaller area. This is similar to how Bernoulli's continuity equation works, where as the cross-sectional area decreases, the velocity increases to maintain constant flow rate.

Related terms

Fluid Dynamics: The study of how fluids (liquids and gases) behave when they are in motion.

Streamline: A line that represents the path followed by particles in a fluid flow without any crossing or mixing.

Flow Rate: The volume of fluid passing through a given point per unit time.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.