Show that the units for all 3 terms in bernouliis equation are the same

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around Bernoulli's equation, specifically focusing on verifying that the units of the three terms on the left-hand side are consistent with each other and with the constant on the right-hand side. The equation is expressed as P + 1/2 ρv² + ρgh = constant, where participants are tasked with analyzing the units of pressure, kinetic energy per unit volume, and potential energy per unit volume.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the SI units for pressure, density, velocity, gravitational acceleration, and height. There are attempts to express each term in terms of basic units (m, kg, s) and to combine them correctly. Some participants express uncertainty about how to combine units and simplify them correctly.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in unit analysis, with some providing correct expressions for the units of each term. There is ongoing clarification about how to combine and simplify the units, with hints and suggestions being offered to guide understanding. Multiple interpretations of the unit combinations are being explored, but no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion about the powers of units and how they relate to each other, indicating a need for further clarification on unit simplification. There is also a mention of potential misunderstandings regarding the distinction between terms that add and factors that multiply.

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Homework Statement



bernouliis equaton

P + 1/2 Rho v^2 + Rho g h = constant

find the units of the three terms on the left hand side & show they are the same and then the units of the constant on the right

The Attempt at a Solution



all i can think to do here is check the SI units for each term

units for pressure = Pa or NM^-2
units for density = kg/m^3
units for velocity =m/s
units for g = m/s
units for h = m

but i can't see how i combine them or how they all come out the same ?
 
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Pressure P = NM^-2 = kg*M*s^-2*M^-2 = kg*M^-1*s^-2.
Similarly work out for the other two expression. You can see that all the tree terms have the same dimensions.
 
victoriafello said:
but i can't see how i combine them or how they all come out the same ?
Express each factor in terms of the basic units: m, kg, s. Then work out the units of each term in the equation by multiplying the units of each factor.
units for pressure = Pa or NM^-2
Hint: Express the pressure in terms of those three basic units.
units for g = m/s
Those units should be ms^-2.
 
Ok so pressure becomes kgm^-1 s^-2, then the other terms expressed in
M , kg, s are

½ pv^2 is Kg m^-3 m/s^-1
Pgh is kg m^-3 m/2^2

I think I am still having a problem with the powers thou, I am not combining the units correctly
 
victoriafello said:
Ok so pressure becomes kgm^-1 s^-2,
Good.
then the other terms expressed in
M , kg, s are

½ pv^2 is Kg m^-3 m/s^-1
Pgh is kg m^-3 m/2^2
Show how you got these.

What are the units for density? For v?
 
density is mass / volume so its units are Kg m^-3
for velocity units are m/s^-1

so combined you get Kg m^-3 m/s^-1

and for the second part
density - Kg m^-3
units for g = m/s^-2
units for h - m

combines to give Kg m^-3 m/s^-2

i must be getting this wrong but i have re read my textbook and i can't see where to correct it,
 
The dimensions of velocity are [tex][L]^1\times [T]^{-1}[/tex]

The dimensions of velocity squared are [tex][L]^2 \times [T]^{-2}[/tex]
 
victoriafello said:
density is mass / volume so its units are Kg m^-3
for velocity units are m/s^-1
The density units are correct, but velocity has units of m/s or m*s^-1.

so combined you get Kg m^-3 m/s^-1
Not quite. The units for ½ρv² would be:
[kg*m^-3]*[m*s^-1]² = [kg*m^-3]*[m*s^-1]*[m*s^-1]

See if you can simplify that by collecting all the powers of m and s. (For example, what's m^-3*m*m simplify to?)
 
Ok I think I see it now,

So m^-3*m*m simplifies to m^-1
And s^-1*s^-1 simplifies to s^-2

So the units for ½ρv² would be kg m^-1s^-2

Then for the second term
Units for density are kg*m^-3
Units for g are m*s^-2
Units for h are m

This is

[kg*m^-3]*[m*s^-2]*[m]

Collecting the m terms gives m^-1 so the units are

Kg m^-1s^-2

Then all I need is the units for the constant at the end, if the three terms all have the same units then the constant must be in the same units to the power 3, like if you have a volume then m*m*m the result is m^3 ?

if so how do I do this for kg m^-1s^-2 ?
 
  • #10
victoriafello said:
Ok I think I see it now,

So m^-3*m*m simplifies to m^-1
And s^-1*s^-1 simplifies to s^-2

So the units for ½ρv² would be kg m^-1s^-2

Then for the second term
Units for density are kg*m^-3
Units for g are m*s^-2
Units for h are m

This is

[kg*m^-3]*[m*s^-2]*[m]

Collecting the m terms gives m^-1 so the units are

Kg m^-1s^-2
Good.

Then all I need is the units for the constant at the end, if the three terms all have the same units then the constant must be in the same units to the power 3, like if you have a volume then m*m*m the result is m^3 ?
Don't confuse three terms (which add) with three factors (which multiply). All the terms have the same units, including the constant. So you're done.
 
  • #11
thanks so much for your help !
 

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