Conservation of energy in fluid flow
Definition
Conservation of energy in fluid flow states that within a closed system, the total mechanical energy (kinetic energy + potential energy) remains constant as long as there are no external forces acting on it.
Analogy
Imagine you have a water slide with no friction or obstacles along its path. As long as no one pushes or pulls on the sliding person, their total energy (speed + height) will stay the same throughout the slide.
Related terms
Bernoulli's Principle: The principle that states as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases.
Pascal's Law: The law stating that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a confined fluid, there is an equal increase at every other point in the container.
Viscosity: A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow.
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