Why does fluid flow faster in a narrow tube?

[threy]

Fluid flows faster in a narrow tube which results in low pressure and high pressure in a large tube?

 

[mfb]

Some context would be helpful.
If you have a fluid going from a large pipe to a narrow pipe (or vice versa), the fluid has to flow quicker in the narrow pipe to get the same flow rate ([strike]volume[/strike] mass per time).

 

[gauss44]

Some context would be helpful.
If you have a fluid going from a large pipe to a narrow pipe (or vice versa), the fluid has to flow quicker in the narrow pipe to get the same flow rate (volume per time).

This is correct. And I'll add that there is a distinction to be made between this (a single tube with variations in width), and multiple (different) tubes.

In the later scenario: If you have 2 separate tubes which are not connected, there is no guarantee that water will flow faster through a narrower tube.

 

[boneh3ad]

Some context would be helpful.
If you have a fluid going from a large pipe to a narrow pipe (or vice versa), the fluid has to flow quicker in the narrow pipe to get the same flow rate (volume per time).

More correctly, the mass flow rate must be maintained (continuity). Volumetric flow rate only works here for an incompressible fluid.

 

[tiny-tim]

hi threy!

Fluid flows faster in a narrow tube which results in low pressure and high pressure in a large tube?

pressure is not only force per area, it is also energy per volume

(1 Pa = 1 J/m³)

therefore conservation of energy requires that if the kinetic energy increases (ie if the speed increases), then the pressure must decrease

(mathematically, this is Bernoulli's equation … P + 1/2ρv² + ρgh = constant along any streamline)

 

[Redbelly98]

Or put another way: the fluid speeds up when it enters a narrower portion of the tube. Since it speeds up, it has an acceleration, therefore a net force, in the direction it is moving. This net force must result from a higher pressure behind the fluid (in the larger tube portion) and a smaller pressure ahead of the fluid (in the smaller portion).

 

[john bastian]

This is correct. And I'll add that there is a distinction to be made between this (a single tube with variations in width), and multiple (different) tubes.

In the later scenario: If you have 2 separate tubes which are not connected, there is no guarantee that water will flow faster through a narrower tube.

but why the fluid go faster in narrow tube than a thicker tube?

 

[CWatters]

Perhaps it's this simple...

If the fluid is incompressible the flow rate (in cubic meters per second) must be the same at all points along the pipe. What goes in must come out.

If the cross sectional area (in square meters) changes the velocity (in meters per second) must change to maintain the same flow rate.

 

[enorbet]

There are some really great graphical and mathematical descriptions at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli's_principle

 

[mfb]

Perhaps it's this simple...

If the fluid is incompressible the flow rate (in cubic meters per second) must be the same at all points along the pipe. What goes in must come out.

If the cross sectional area (in square meters) changes the velocity (in meters per second) must change to maintain the same flow rate.

Right.

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