Sajit

Chandra
100 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakya Email: sajitcshakya@gmail.com
PHYSICS EDUCATOR Web Address: http://sajitsir.tripod.com

Equation of Continuity

The equation of continuity states that the velocity of a fluid through a channel is inversely
proportional to the cross section and vice versa.

This equation or law follows directly from the law of conservation of mass. In any channel as
shown in the figure, the rate of flow of the fluid in terms of mass should be equal.

m m 
t =t
 1  2

ρV ρ V 
Or,  t  = t 
 1  2

For, incompressible fluids, the densities are equal everywhere.

V V 
So, t =t
 1  2

A × l = A × l
Or,  t   t 
 1  2

Or,
l  l
A × t = A × t
 1  2
Or, A1 × v1 = A2 × v2
Or, A × v = constant

This equation is called as the Equation of Continuity. It shows that the product of velocity of
fluid and the cross section is constant everywhere.

1
The above equation also gives, v α A. This relationship has several implications in nature.

1. In narrow alleys and spaces, the velocity of winds is high but not in wide regions or fields.

 
Sajit
Chandra
101 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakya Email: sajitcshakya@gmail.com
PHYSICS EDUCATOR Web Address: http://sajitsir.tripod.com

2. In the middle portions of room, the velocity of air is very less, almost unnoticeable, but the
velocity is very high at small holes, cracks and orifices of the doors or windows.
3. The velocity of water in rivers is less in the plane areas but it is high in hilly ravine areas.
4. The velocity of water is high in narrow pipes but less in wide ones.
5. When somebody places finger over the mouth of a pipe with water flowing out of it, the
velocity of water increases.

Total energy of a fluid

A moving liquid has three types of energies:

1. Kinetic Energy: It is the energy of the fluid solely because of motion. It is simply given
by the relation
1
KE = 2 mv2, where ‘m’ is the mass of the fluid and ‘v’ is the velocity.

2. Potential Energy: it is the energy due to the relative position of the fluid compared to a
certain reference level, i.e. ground. It is given by the relation

PE = mgh, where ‘m’ is the mass of the fluid, ’g’ is the acceleration due to
gravity and ’h’ is the height of the fluid with respect to the ground.

3. Pressure Energy: It is the energy due to the extra pressure put on the fluid by some
means. It is simply given by

PrE = PV

Therefore the total energy of a flowing fluid will be

E = KE + PE + PrE
1
Or, E = 2 mv2 + mgh +PV

If the energy is calculated per unit mass,

1 2
1 2
E 2 mv + mgh +PV 2 mv mgh PV
m = m = m + m + m
1 P
= 2 v2 + gh + m/V
E 1 2 P
Or, m = 2 v + gh + ρ

If the energy is calculated per unit volume,

 
Sajit
Chandra
102 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakya Email: sajitcshakya@gmail.com
PHYSICS EDUCATOR Web Address: http://sajitsir.tripod.com

1 2
1 2
2 mv + mgh +PV 2 mv mgh PV
E
V = V = V + V + V
1 m  m
= 2  V  v2 +  V  gh + P
   
E 1 2
Or, ρ ρ
V = 2 v + gh + P

Bernoulli Theorem

This theorem states that the total sum of potential, kinetic and pressure energies in a flowing
fluid is constant everywhere, provided the liquid is incompressible, i.e.

PrE + PE + KE = constant

1
Or, PV + mgh + 2 mv2 = constant ……………… (v)

Proof:

Let an incompressible fluid flow into a channel from the left and exit from the right. Let the
cross section and velocity of fluid at the left be A1 and v1 respectively and the right be A2 and
v2. Let the height of the channel be h1 at the left and h2 at the right. Let ‘m’ be the mass of fluid
that flows in certain time ‘t’. Then,

1
The KE at the left region = 2 mv12

 
Sajit
Chandra
103 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakya Email: sajitcshakya@gmail.com
PHYSICS EDUCATOR Web Address: http://sajitsir.tripod.com

1
The KE at the right region = 2 mv22

1 1
Therefore the increase in KE = 2 mv22 - 2 mv12 ……….. (i)

Similarly,

The PE at the left region = mgh1

The PE at the right region = mgh2

So, the increase in PE = mgh2 - mgh1 ………….. (ii)

The pressure energies and its change can be determined by the work required for various
purposes at the left and right ends.

Work required to push liquid column from ‘PQ’ to ‘RS’ at the left end = P1V

Work required to push liquid column from ‘LM’ to ‘NO’ at the right end against the resistance
posed by fluid in front = P2V

So, the remaining work available to raise the energy of liquids = P1V - P2V …….. (iii)

According to Work-Energy Theorem, the work done on a system is equal to the value of rise of
energy (sum of potential and kinetic).

So,

P1V - P2V = Increase in PE + Increase in KE

1 1
Or, P1V - P2V = mgh2 - mgh1 + 2 mv22 - 2 mv12

1 1
Or, P1V + mgh1 + 2 mv12 = P2V + mgh2 + 2 mv22 …………….. (iv)

This means that overall

1
PV + mgh + 2 mv2 = constant ……………… (v)

This means the sum of pressure energy, potential energy and kinetic energy is always constant,
which is the statement of Bernouilli Theorem (Principle).

Division of equation (v) by mass ‘m’ gives

P 1 2
ρ + gh + 2 v = constant ……………… (vi)

 
Sa
ajit
Chan
ndra
104 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakkya Em
mail: sajitcshakya@ @gmail.com
PHYSIICS EDUCATOR Web Add
dress: http://sajitsirr.tripod.com

Similarlly, division of
o equation (v
v) by volumee ‘V’ gives

1
P + ρgh + 2 ρv2 = constan
nt ……………
…… (vii)

If the heeight of the inlet and ou

utlet are equaal, h1 = h2 (i.ee. mgh1 = mgh2). In such
h case, equattion
(iv) beco
omes

1 1
P1V + 2 mv12 = P2V + 2 mv22 ………… (viii)

1
Or, P + 2 mv2
PV = constan
nt ……………
…... (ix)

ng by ‘V’ givees
Dividin

1
P + 2 ρv2 = constan
nt ……………
…… (x)

Implicaations of Berrnoulli Theo

orem

1. The most im
mportant usee of this theo orem is in explaining thee lift generateed in the win
ngs
of planes or
o gliders when
w they move
m forwarrd with hig gh velocity. Such speciaally
designed wiings are often
n called as ‘A
Airfoils’.

[This is donne by giving special sh hape to the wings of p planes. When n viewed frrom
sideways, thheir lower suurface is alm
most plane bu ut upper surrface is curved as shown n in
figure. The curve
c is more at the front but less behhind. When the plane mo oves forwardd at
a high speedd; the wingss split the airr up and dow wn. Because of collisionss and the shaape
of the wingss, the upper air has to trravel more distance
d than
n the lower when
w they m
meet
behind the wings.
w So thee velocity of air is high above
a but lesss below the wings, makking
pressure less above and more below w. This createes upward reesultant presssure and forrce,
which ultim
mately lifts thee plane. Exammples are shhown by the following
f fig
gures.]
Sa
ajit
Chan
ndra
105 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakkya Em
mail: sajitcshakya@ @gmail.com
PHYSIICS EDUCATOR Web Add
dress: http://sajitsirr.tripod.com

2. Venturimeteer, a device used to meeasure the raate of flow of fluids, iss also based on
Bernoulli prrinciple.

It mainly co
onsists of a ‘U’
‘ shaped tube
t whose one end con nnects to a wide
w portion
n of
another nonnuniform tub be and anotther end con nnects to naarrow portio on. When fluid
reaches narrrow portion from widerr portion; thee velocity off fluid increaases becausee of
small cross section,
s thuss reducing th ults in reducttion in pressure
he pressure. So, this resu
and thus difference
d in
n level of mercury. TheT measureement of th his height ccan
mathematicaally give the velocity of the
t fluid.

3. When a fan is operated iin a room wiith papers ly

ying all over the
t floor, thee papers starrt to
lift up and flly hither and
d thither.
Sajit
Chandra
106 

Hello: 9851040246
Shakya Email: sajitcshakya@gmail.com
PHYSICS EDUCATOR Web Address: http://sajitsir.tripod.com

When a fan is switched on in a room full of papers spread over the flour, the movement
of air creates high velocity zone above the paper and less velocity zone below. This
causes less pressure above and high pressure below. This causes lifting force on the
paper, which makes them scatter here and there.

4. During heavy gusts of wind and storm, the roofs of houses are blown off though the
windows are properly closed.

When there is a storm outside the house, there will be high velocity zone above the roof
and less velocity below. So there is less pressure above the roof and high pressure
below. This causes lifting force on the roof and so they get blown off.

5. Flags seem to flutter when there is a gust of wind, but sag when there is no flow.

6. Ships of old days could sail against the direction of wind (without any fuel) by the
application of this principle.