Props of Matter (pressure) - help

In summary, the average flow speed of air doubles through a constriction in the bronchus, resulting in a decrease in pressure. This can be explained by Bernoulli's law without the gravity term.
  • #1
frenchy7322
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When a person inhales, air moces down the bronchus (windpipe) at 15 cm/s. The average flow speed of the air doubles through a constriction in the bronchus. Assuming incompressible flow, determine the pressure drop in the constriction.

This confuses me as I thought if you constrict a passage (e.g artery due to cholesterol) you get a higher pressue. This question is asking for the pressure drop??

As for equation... P = F/A? not real sure at all, someone please help to get the ball rolling :)
 
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  • #2
Think of water instead of air, since in the problem the fluid is given as incompressible. If the fluid is to be kept flowing without accumulating anywhere, the speed has to increase in the narrow portions. But why would the fluid rush to the constricted portions if the pressure wasn't low there compared to where it's coming from?

Use Bernoulli's law without the gravity term.
 

1. What is pressure?

Pressure is defined as the amount of force per unit area. It is a measure of how much force is applied over a given area.

2. How is pressure calculated?

Pressure is calculated by dividing the force applied by the area over which the force is applied. The formula for pressure is P = F/A, where P is pressure, F is force, and A is area.

3. What are some examples of high and low pressure?

Examples of high pressure include a compressed gas tank, a tightly sealed bottle, and a deep ocean environment. Examples of low pressure include a deflated balloon, a vacuum chamber, and the upper atmosphere.

4. How does pressure affect matter?

Pressure can cause matter to change in various ways, such as changing its shape, volume, or state. For example, high pressure can compress a gas into a liquid, while low pressure can cause a liquid to evaporate into a gas.

5. How is pressure related to temperature?

According to the Ideal Gas Law, pressure and temperature have a direct relationship. As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of gas molecules increases, causing them to collide more frequently and exert more force on the container walls, resulting in an increase in pressure. Conversely, as temperature decreases, pressure decreases as well.

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