Question involving a stream of fluids

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a falling stream of fluid, specifically addressing why the stream thins out near the bottom. The key conclusion is that as the fluid accelerates due to gravity, its velocity increases while the mass-flow rate remains constant, necessitating a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the stream. This principle is rooted in the conservation of mass, which dictates that if the mass flow rate were to change, mass would not be conserved.

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When a stream falls from a fosset it thins out near the bottom. Why is that? This eems to apply to any falling fluid.
 
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Velocity. It accelerates as it falls but the mass-flow rate stays the same, therefore the cross-sectional area must decrease.
 
Ah I see. It seems so obvious now. so I guess if the mass flow rate changed the mass would not be conserved?
 

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