High School How Tube Size & Openings Impact Water Flow

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The flow rate of water through a tube is primarily influenced by the size of the tube and the size of the opening where the water enters. Increasing the diameter of the tube enhances flow rate, as a larger tube can accommodate more water for a given pressure difference. Additionally, the pressure, derived from the height difference of water surfaces, plays a crucial role in maintaining flow, especially when transitioning from a larger to a smaller tube. Understanding these principles is essential for optimizing water flow in various applications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Knowledge of pressure concepts in fluid systems
  • Familiarity with tube and pipe sizing standards
  • Basic mechanics of water flow and pressure systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Bernoulli's Principle" and its application in fluid flow
  • Explore "Hydraulic diameter" calculations for different tube sizes
  • Learn about "Pressure loss in pipes" and how to minimize it
  • Investigate "Flow rate calculations" for various tube configurations
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, plumbers, and anyone involved in fluid mechanics or water system design will benefit from this discussion, particularly those looking to optimize water flow in piping systems.

Tylercc
Messages
27
Reaction score
2
What affects how fast the water come out of the tube?(size of tube, size of opening where the water enters, etc) thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Tylercc said:
What affects how fast the water come out of the tube?(size of tube, size of opening where the water enters, etc) thanks in advance.
Welcome to the PF.

What are your throughts? What do you think are the main things that affect the flow rate?

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--CZn8Ula2--/18dy62lbycc0gjpg.jpg
18dy62lbycc0gjpg.jpg
 
Well my first thought is that the size of the tube is what would affect the flow rate. So if I wanted to increase the flow rate I would have to increase size of the hose, but what I am not to sure about is could I make it flow faster just by increasing the size of the first part of the tube? I would have to imagine that to some degree if you had a big enough tube and connected to a smaller tube it would flow faster. Maybe not fast enough to be similar to what would come out of a hose bid, but I am thinking it should be faster because there would be more water "behind" the smaller tube. But then again I know for water to faster through a smaller tube there has to be enough pressure to behind the smaller tube to actually push the water and not just siphon water(basics of a pressure washer). So is it possible to increase the flow rate by just increasing part of the tube?
 
Tylercc said:
Well my first thought is that the size of the tube is what would affect the flow rate. So if I wanted to increase the flow rate I would have to increase size of the hose, but what I am not to sure about is could I make it flow faster just by increasing the size of the first part of the tube? I would have to imagine that to some degree if you had a big enough tube and connected to a smaller tube it would flow faster. Maybe not fast enough to be similar to what would come out of a hose bid, but I am thinking it should be faster because there would be more water "behind" the smaller tube. But then again I know for water to faster through a smaller tube there has to be enough pressure to behind the smaller tube to actually push the water and not just siphon water(basics of a pressure washer). So is it possible to increase the flow rate by just increasing part of the tube?
The pressure comes from the "head" or difference in heights of the two water surfaces. Using a bigger tube allows more water to flow for a given height difference. If the tube necks down, you still have the same pressure pushing the water, but less area to let the water flow through.

https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/969642/files/27532357?module_item_id=6128404
 
  • Like
Likes Jcirish
Well that sucks. Thanks for your help.
 
Tylercc said:
Well that sucks.
Funny double-meaning! :smile:
Tylercc said:
Thanks for your help.
you're welcome.
 

Thread 'Does acceleration affect impact energy vs constant velocity?'

I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...
View full post »

Similar threads

Undergrad Pressure builds on its own inside this water tank?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Undergrad Vacuum force factors (vacuum created by a "flow through" liquid)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Amount of energy in wind blowing through a tube
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Fully developed flow, Reynolds number
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
How to determine air velocity in open ended tube?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Heat cross exchanger
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
How Do Sound Waves Influence Water Flow?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad What are the physics behind a bell siphon in an aquaponics system?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
27K
Graduate Condensate rate of water for an air conditioning cooling coil
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
569
Undergrad Non-Linear Evaporation: Explained for Beginners
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
16K