Why does squeezing a hose make the water go further?

In summary, according to the continuity equation and Bernoulli's equation, squeezing a hose will result in an increase in velocity, but a decrease in pressure. This decrease in pressure will eventually lead to a decrease in velocity, but the overall flow rate will be reduced in a restricted pipe.
  • #1
Pangolin
2
0
Why does squeezing a hose make the water go futher?

According to the continuity equation, A1v1 = A2v2, reducing the area of the opening will cause the velocity to increase.

However, according to Bernoulli's eqn, increase in velocity will cause a decrease in pressure, so that will mean that the water will be released at lower velocity. In effect, it should cancel out the increase in velocity due to continuity eqn.

Please help me solve this problem. Thank you!
 
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  • #2
from my understanding a decrease in area of the opening causes an increase in pressure which thus give an increase in velocity. From bernoulli's equation

[tex]P_{1}+\frac{1}{2}\rho v_{1}^{2}+\rho gh_{1}=P_{2}+\frac{1}{2}\rho v_{2}^{2}+\rho gh_{2}[/tex]

where v is the velocity v1 is the velocity in the hose, and v2 is the velocity outside the hose .
 
  • #3
a decrease in pressure, so that will mean that the water will be released at lower velocity.
Why should that be so?

Why wouldn't water travels as fast as it does when it comes out of the hose precisely because it was traveling that fast inside the hose?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Pangolin said:
However, according to Bernoulli's eqn, increase in velocity will cause a decrease in pressure, so that will mean that the water will be released at lower velocity.

Yes, the pressure will decrease in the stream leaving the hose, according to Bernoulli's equation. Just before your thumb the pressure will increase since the speed is lower here in the pipe. This causes a back pressure being transmitted into the water in the pipe (which sometimes causes loose connecions to come undone).

One should fix one's mind on the continuity equation though. Which states the fact that the amount of water flowing past a cross section in a time interval will be the same at any point along the stream. This means that the velocity will increase if the cross section decreases. From this fact we can deduce that the pressure in the high velocity stream need to decrease according to Bernoulli, which we know already from the basics of aerodynamics.

The flow rate will be reduced from an unrestricted pipe to a restricted one though. Test it with a bucket and a stopwatch.
 

1. Why does squeezing a hose make the water go further?

Squeezing a hose increases the water pressure inside the hose, causing the water to shoot out with more force and travel further.

2. How does squeezing a hose increase water pressure?

When you squeeze a hose, you are reducing the amount of space for the water to flow through, which results in an increase in pressure.

3. Can squeezing a hose damage the hose or the water source?

If you are using a standard garden hose, squeezing it should not cause any damage. However, if you are using a high-pressure hose or a hose with a weak spot, excessive squeezing can cause damage. It is important to use caution and not over-squeeze the hose.

4. Will squeezing a hose make the water come out faster?

Yes, squeezing a hose will increase the water pressure and result in the water coming out faster. This can be helpful for tasks such as watering plants or cleaning outdoor surfaces.

5. Is it necessary to squeeze a hose to make the water go further?

No, squeezing a hose is not necessary to make the water go further. You can also achieve this by using a nozzle or adjusting the water flow from the source. However, squeezing the hose can provide an extra boost of pressure if needed.

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