Fluid Flow

Syllabus tag: KCSE | Physics | Form 2 | Topic 20 Fluid Flow

Lesson objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Distinguish streamline from turbulent flow.
• State and apply the equation of continuity.
• State Bernoulli's principle and explain it.
• Describe applications including the aerofoil, carburettor and Bunsen burner.

Summary

Streamline flow is smooth and orderly; turbulent flow is irregular with eddies. The equation of continuity, A₁v₁ = A₂v₂, shows that fluid speeds up in a narrower pipe. Bernoulli's principle states that where the speed of a fluid is high, its pressure is low — which explains aerofoils, sprayers and much else.