Making analogy between fluid mechanical and electrical system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the analogy between fluid mechanical systems and electrical circuits, exploring the validity and limitations of this comparison. Participants examine the principles governing fluid dynamics, particularly Bernoulli's Equation, and how these principles relate to electrical concepts such as voltage and current.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference Bernoulli's Equation to explain pressure differences in moving fluids, noting that these differences depend on velocity and gravity.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how the analogy between fluid circuits and electrical circuits can be accurately performed, particularly questioning the assumption of distributed parameters in fluid systems.
  • Another participant argues that while the pressure/volume analogy of volts/current is useful for understanding electricity, the properties of fluids and electricity are similar but not identical, suggesting that the analogy may be overstretched.
  • It is noted that voltage differences in electrical circuits may not be negligible due to distance, but this difference is considered minor in practical applications where resistors dominate the circuit's resistance.
  • One participant raises curiosity about the behavior of pressure when two pipes of different diameters connect at the same point, indicating a desire to understand the implications of such a configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the fluid-electrical analogy, with some supporting its usefulness while others caution against overextending the comparison. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the extent to which the analogy holds true across various applications.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the analogy, including assumptions about resistance distribution in electrical circuits and the continuous pressure drop in fluid systems. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the implications of connecting pipes of different diameters.

Micko
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Hi,
Because of pictures that are drawn, I find easier to make question completely in pdf document.
Thanks for help and understanding
 

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Micko said:
Hi,
Because of pictures that are drawn, I find easier to make question completely in pdf document.
Thanks for help and understanding
I'm sure this is not a complete answer to your question, but pressure in moving fluids is governed by Bernoulli's Equation

http://www.princeton.edu/~asmits/Bicycle_web/Bernoulli.html

There will be pressure differences in fluids depending on velocity and effects of gravity.
 
OlderDan, I have read about Bernoulli equation but I'm still confused about how analogy can be performed.
Main question is if fluid circuit is a system with distribuited parameters i.e. pressure drop occurs continually with length of a pipeline. I think so, and that's why I doubt this analogy with electrical circuit will give good results in wider band of applications.
 
I think you've taken the analogy a bit too far. The pressure/volume analogy of volts/current is used mainly for a more easily understood example of something you can't see (electricity). The properties are similar, not identical.

Btw, technically the voltage won't be exactly the same at B and C, because it's farther from A to B than A to C, so there is a wee bit more voltage drop at B. :wink:

moo
__________________
moo (moo') adj. Of no practical importance; irrelevant, such as a moo point (i.e. a cow's opinion).
 
moo said:
I think you've taken the analogy a bit too far. The pressure/volume analogy of volts/current is used mainly for a more easily understood example of something you can't see (electricity). The properties are similar, not identical.

Btw, technically the voltage won't be exactly the same at B and C, because it's farther from A to B than A to C, so there is a wee bit more voltage drop at B. :wink:

moo
__________________
moo (moo') adj. Of no practical importance; irrelevant, such as a moo point (i.e. a cow's opinion).

I agree, but the difference will be negligible because resistors used in this example usually have resistance that is much greater than resistance of line, and model implicitely assumes that all resistance is concentrated in resistors, so line resistance is 0. Since el. mag wave transfer at speed close to spped of light, voltage difference is negligible. Difference can be spoted in case of distances that can be compared with el.mag. wave length. On the other hand, in fluid circuit, there is always a pressure drop across pipeline . I'm interested to learn what happens when two different pipes (different diameters) connects in same point.
 

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