Different units in Bernoulli's equation's terms?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the unit consistency in Bernoulli's equation, specifically the terms involving pressure and kinetic energy. The equation is expressed as p1 + 1/2 (ρ) v1² = p2 + 1/2 (ρ) v2², where pressure (p) is measured in lb/ft² and density (ρ) in slug/ft³. The confusion arose from the incorrect interpretation of units, as the kinetic energy term also resolves to slug/(ft sec²), aligning with the pressure units. This resolution confirms that both sides of the equation are dimensionally consistent when using the proper units.

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Students of physics, engineers in fluid dynamics, and anyone seeking to understand the principles of pressure and velocity in fluid systems will benefit from this discussion.

sinueus
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When I check units in the terms in Bernoulli's equation, they do not match:
Given:
p1 + 1/2 (row) v1^2 = p2 + 1/2 (row) v2^2

On the left hand side of the equation, the first term, pressure must have units of force/unit area; say lb/ft^2. The units in the second term are the product of

row, the density in, say, lb/ft^3
v1^2, the square of speed, say, ft^2/sec^2,

or [lb/ft^3][ft^2/sec^2] = [ lb/(ft sec^2) ] and this is different from the [lb/ft^2] of the first term. Why?

Thanks
 
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A lb isn't a unit of force, it's a units of mass.
 
I thought so!

Thanks,
I haven't done physics in a log time and I am rusty on the basics. I thoght I had the problem that you mention but was not sure. I'll try again using proper force units and I'll come back.
 
I am back!

After reviewing my units, I found that in the SI system, the unit of force is the pound (lb), the unit of mass is the slug and that of acceleration is ft/s^2. I remember that 1lb = 1 slug ft/sec^2. Armed with this knowledge, I atacked the problem as follows:

pressure (p) has units of lb/ft^2 = (slug ft)/(sec^2 ft^2) =
slug/(ft sec^2)

velocity has units of ft/sec

row, the density has units of slug/ft^3

Then, the second term in the equation must have units of:

(row)v^2 = [slug/ft^3][ft^2/sec^2] = slug/(ft sec^2)] which matches the pressure units of the first term.

Thanks for the reply. It motivated me to arrive at the right answer.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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