What is Bernoulli equation: Definition and 133 Discussions

In fluid dynamics, Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or a decrease in the fluid's potential energy. The principle is named after Daniel Bernoulli who published it in his book Hydrodynamica in 1738. Although Bernoulli deduced that pressure decreases when the flow speed increases, it was Leonhard Euler who derived Bernoulli's equation in its usual form in 1752. The principle is only applicable for isentropic flows: when the effects of irreversible processes (like turbulence) and non-adiabatic processes (e.g. heat radiation) are small and can be neglected.
Bernoulli's principle can be applied to various types of fluid flow, resulting in various forms of Bernoulli's equation. The simple form of Bernoulli's equation is valid for incompressible flows (e.g. most liquid flows and gases moving at low Mach number). More advanced forms may be applied to compressible flows at higher Mach numbers (see the derivations of the Bernoulli equation).
Bernoulli's principle can be derived from the principle of conservation of energy. This states that, in a steady flow, the sum of all forms of energy in a fluid along a streamline is the same at all points on that streamline. This requires that the sum of kinetic energy, potential energy and internal energy remains constant. Thus an increase in the speed of the fluid – implying an increase in its kinetic energy (dynamic pressure) – occurs with a simultaneous decrease in (the sum of) its potential energy (including the static pressure) and internal energy. If the fluid is flowing out of a reservoir, the sum of all forms of energy is the same on all streamlines because in a reservoir the energy per unit volume (the sum of pressure and gravitational potential ρ g h) is the same everywhere.Bernoulli's principle can also be derived directly from Isaac Newton's Second Law of Motion. If a small volume of fluid is flowing horizontally from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, then there is more pressure behind than in front. This gives a net force on the volume, accelerating it along the streamline.Fluid particles are subject only to pressure and their own weight. If a fluid is flowing horizontally and along a section of a streamline, where the speed increases it can only be because the fluid on that section has moved from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure; and if its speed decreases, it can only be because it has moved from a region of lower pressure to a region of higher pressure. Consequently, within a fluid flowing horizontally, the highest speed occurs where the pressure is lowest, and the lowest speed occurs where the pressure is highest.

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  1. phion

    Reducing the Bernoulli Equation

    I'm practicing first-order linear differential equations, and have come across something I find interesting - being able to reduce nonlinear equations to linear equation with appropriate substitutions. I'll start with the well-known Bernoulli equation, and if there are other ways to do this...
  2. L

    Reaaranging a Bernoulli Equation.

    Homework Statement How can I rearrange this equation to graphically show that hole diametre is inversely proportional to sink time? So my experiment results show a nice diametre=1/t , and I would now like to take the equation I've come up with to show this relationship within the equation...
  3. JJBladester

    Hydrostatic pressure in the Bernoulli Equation

    Homework Statement The hydrostatic pressure term in the Bernoulli equation (ρgz) decreases with fluid depth. Why? Homework Equations Bernoulli Equation (multiplied by density ρ to give us pressure units): P+\rho\frac{V^2}{2}+\rho gz=constant The Attempt at a Solution In the hydrostatics...
  4. JJBladester

    Bernoulli Equation - Units Question

    Homework Statement My book says that each term in the Bernoulli equation (when divided by ρ, has pressure units). I don't see how. Homework Equations The Bernoulli equation for steady, incompressible flow is: \frac{P}{\rho}+\frac{V^{2}}{2}+gz=constant The Attempt at a Solution...
  5. F

    Compressed Air - Bernoulli Equation

    I'm trying to ascertain the dynamics of a compressed air system in terms of flow rate, air consumption, pressure drop etc. To keep it simple my system consists of a 5.5 bar supply (550000Pa) supply on 12mm OD Nylon Tubing and is reduced to 6mm OD Nylon through a valve (pressure drop assumed...
  6. 1

    Frustrating Bernoulli Equation

    I've been unable to fully solve this: \frac{dy}{dx} + y = xy^4 The U: u = y^{-3}, so y = u^\frac{-1}{3}, and \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-1}{3}u^\frac{-4}{3}\frac{du}{dx} The substitution: \frac{-1}{3}u^\frac{-4}{3}\frac{du}{dx} + u^\frac{-1}{3} = xu^\frac{-4}{3} Simplified: \frac{du}{dx} -...
  7. W

    Hydraulics, Flow rate from Bernoulli Equation

    Homework Statement Flow rate in Venturi meter of Petrol (SG 0.85). Diam1 - 0.2m Diam2 - 0.15m Height Diff in manometer of Mercury (SG 13.6) 0.012m, so Δp= 13600 x 9.81 x 0.012 = 1601? Cd = 0.98 Homework Equations Bernoulli, p/ρg + U2/2g + Z U=Q/A The Attempt at a...
  8. Z

    Bernoulli equation in terms of energy per unit volume

    dear PF.. what is the Bernoulli equation in terms of energy per unit volume the equation include the 1) static pressure 2) hydrostatic pressure 3) dynamic pressure 4) stagnation pressure
  9. Jonnyb42

    ODE, bernoulli equation -> leads to crazy integral

    ODE, bernoulli equation --> leads to crazy integral ! Homework Statement An Initial Value Problem, ODE (Bernoulli equation) ODE: [x^2]*y' + 2*[x^3]*y = [y^2]*(1+2*[x^2]) IV: y(1) = 1/2 Homework Equations general form of Bernoulli's equation: y' + a(x)y = b(x)*[y^n] First...
  10. G

    Bernoulli Equation VS. V1A1 = V2A2

    Hi! I came across a problem involving a spigot. In order to find the velocity in the spigot which is located h meters in the tank, one uses the reduced V= sqrt (2gh) equation... how is this different from using V1A1 = V2A2? When would you use this equation? For instance, say you have a...
  11. P

    Differential Equation - Bernoulli Equation

    Homework Statement solve the differential equation y'(t)=-4y+6y^3 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I'm pretty sure (not positive) that this is a Bernoulli Equation. I've been following this wiki in an attempt to solve...
  12. U

    Damping term in Euler Bernoulli equation

    hello, I have made an FEM simulation of a cantilever beam in Matlab. I have included the damping using damping matrix C= alpha x M + beta x K. Problem is that I want to compare my result with this paper http://flyingv.ucsd.edu/rvazquez/Journal/nano.pdf (See eq.1) where the...
  13. L

    Solving Bernoulli Equation with y'+3y=e^(-3x)*y^4

    Homework Statement y'+3y=e^(-3x)*y^4 , IC: y(1) = (12/4e^-3)^(-1/3) Homework Equations Bernoulli Method The Attempt at a Solution So n=4, i can substitue u=y^-3 u'+(-3)(3)u=(-3)e^(-3x) determine an integrating factor of e^-9x, then integrate both sides...
  14. I

    Bernoulli equation with pressure tank

    Homework Statement Water flows at a rate of 30ml/s from an opening in the bottom of a 4m high pressure tank (a tank with a plunger type lid). Calculate the flow rate when an extra 50 kPa of pressure is applied. Homework Equations Bernoulli's equation and \frac{V}{t} = AvThe Attempt at a...
  15. J

    Fluid mechanics -- flow through a pipe (Bernoulli equation)

    Homework Statement water flows steadily with negligible viscious effects through this pipe. the 4-inch diameter section of the thin walled tubing will collapse if the pressure within is at 6 psi below atmospheric pressure. determine maximum h so that the tube won't collapse. final...
  16. Saladsamurai

    Solving Bernoulli Equation: Confirm Results and Identify Error

    I have solved the following Bernoulli equation by letting Z = y1 - 2: xy' - 2y = x3y2. I obtained the solution y = 5/(5c1 - x5) which Wolfram Alpha has confirmed. From this result, I have obtained y' to be y' = 25x4/(5c1 - x5)2 The problem is when I go to check the solution by plugging...
  17. J

    How Does Bernoulli's Equation Apply to a Water Fountain System?

    Homework Statement An open tank of water is sited on top of a hill and has a pipe leading from the bottom leading down to a vertical water fountain. The base of the tank is 15m above the fountain nozzle and the depth of water in the tank is 1.0m. 1. Draw a ruled sketch of the system, showing...
  18. K

    Bernoulli equation (self made diagram)

    An object is accidentally dropped into a water pipe. Pressure applied to pipe is 10 atm. The depth of lake is 10m. What will be speed of object when it exits the pipe and first enters the lake? Assume that the object is carried along with the surrounding water and does not affect flow of...
  19. Saladsamurai

    Bernoulli Equation: Finding t_fall Expression

    Homework Statement Homework Equations X=Vo*tfall Bernoulli Eq: \frac {p}{\rho}+\frac{V^2}{2}+gz=const I used B.E. to find an expression for the velocity of the exit jet: V_o=\sqrt{2g(H-h)} For some reason I am confused as to how to find an expression for t_fall ? I know it should be...
  20. R

    Bernoulli Equation: Compressible vs Incompressible Flows

    Hi, urgent question. Bernoulli's equation seems to be conservation of energy. I read that it's only for incompressible flows; but isn't the term involving pressure the energy due to the work done on a mass of air in compressing it? Thanks
  21. A

    Static Pressure in Flowing Fluids: Meaning and Causes

    well,i ve some problems with bernouuli equation.first,i'd like to ask abt meaning of static pressure in flowing fluid because i really ve read abt that in references and many websites but still can't get exactly what's meaningt of static pressure in flowing fluid. i ve read on website that...
  22. D

    Bernoulli Equation and Newton Law

    Hello friends, I have a problem in Bernoulli equation and Newton Law. I'm going to calculate how much power is needed to lift up an object with weight W. I'm planning to put the object in a 10 inches diameter. How can I calculate the power needed by the motor to lift up the object? Does...
  23. O

    Questions on Bernoulli Equation: Pressure, Energy & More

    Hi, I have some questions about this equation. P + (1/2)mv^2 + mgh = constant. So obviously (1/2)mv^2 is the kinetic energy, and pgh is the potential energy. 1.) Is this equation basically a statement of conservation of energy? 2.) If yes, then how exactly is pressure, 'energy'? I...
  24. L

    Fluid Mechanics- Bernoulli Equation

    The Bernoulli Equation for non-uniform flows have a constant at the kinetic energy term which describes the velocity profile at that place. The problem is this, If a have water flowing through a pipe with a parabolic velocity profile and then the water exit the pipe at free jet and there is now...
  25. T

    Solve Bernoulli Equation x'=b(t)x+c(t)x^n when n<0

    How do I solve a Bernoulli equation of the form x' = b(t)x + c(t)x^n when n < 0?
  26. B

    How to find Velocity V2 with bernoulli Equation?

    Water is fed via a 200m long, 125mm diameter pipe to a field. The take is 12m elevation. the friction factor is 0.008 and k factors add up to 3.3. Pressure is all atmospheric and V1 is 0. Homework Equations Bernoulli Equation with the addition of friction, elevation and k factors...
  27. S

    System curve and Bernoulli equation problem

    Homework Statement I have a pump pumping 50 gallons per minute of water from a tank at atmospheric pressure to another tank at atmospheric pressure. The main discharge pipe (internal diameter is 4.03 inches) is divided onto 5 smaller pipes (internal diameter is 1.05 inches). The pressure on...
  28. C

    How can I solve this Bernoulli Equation with a given initial condition?

    Homework Statement x^2y' + 2xy = 5y^3 Homework Equations Bernoulli Equation The Attempt at a Solution so... v=y^-2, y=v^(-1/2) y' = -1/2v'v^(-3/2) moving everything over... y'/y^3 + 2/(xy^2) = 5/x^2 and plugging everything in... -1/2v' + 2v/x = 5/x^2 v' - 4v/x = -10/x^2 v' -...
  29. S

    Can't Make Sense of Bernoulli Equation

    it...just...does...not...make...the...slightest...sense...to...me...:confused: Here it goes... y' + \frac{y}{x} = 3x^2y^2 This is a Bernoulli equation with P = \frac{1}{2}, Q = 3x^2, and n = 2. We first divide through by y^2, obtaining... \frac{1}{y^2} \frac{dy}{dx} + \frac{y^-^1}{x} =...
  30. Pengwuino

    Did I prove this Bernoulli equation correctly?

    Given a differential equation with the form: \frac{{dy}}{{dx}} + P(x)y = Q(x)y^n and using the substitution v = y^{1 - n} I attempted to prove that it transforms into \frac{{dv}}{{dx}} + (1 - n)P(x)v = (1 - n)Q(x) Here’s the proof, did I do it correctly? I got the write answer so I assume...
  31. A

    Solve Bernoulli Equation: A Guide to Understanding

    can someone explain how to solve the bernoulli equation? I'm having a hard time understanding...
  32. A

    Solving Bernoulli Equation - Can't Get Correct Answer

    I cannot get the correct answer to this for some reason: t^2y'+2ty-y^3=0 I use the substitution v=y^{1-n}=y^{-2}\implies y=v^{-\frac{1}{2}} and come up with y'=-\frac{1}{2}v^{-\frac{3}{2}} and y^3=v^{-\frac{3}{2}}. -\frac{1}{2}t^2v^{-\frac{3}{2}}+2tv^{-\frac{1}{2}}-v^{-\frac{3}{2}}=0...
  33. B

    Optimizing Boat Hull Shape for Maximum Speed: A Calculus of Variations Approach

    Was wondering if it was possible to derive the best possible shape of a boat hull to achieve maximum speed? As it is the equation on how to calculate the speed of a sphere moving in water... or else I am just totally wrong and you can bluntly ignore this post :tongue:
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