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The Most General Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation

Module by: OpenStax College. E-mail the author

Summary:

  • Calculate using Torricelli’s theorem.
  • Calculate power in fluid flow.

Torricelli’s Theorem

Figure 1 shows water gushing from a large tube through a dam. What is its speed as it emerges? Interestingly, if resistance is negligible, the speed is just what it would be if the water fell a distance hh size 12{h} {} from the surface of the reservoir; the water’s speed is independent of the size of the opening. Let us check this out. Bernoulli’s equation must be used since the depth is not constant. We consider water flowing from the surface (point 1) to the tube’s outlet (point 2). Bernoulli’s equation as stated in previously is

P1+12ρv12+ρgh1=P2+12ρv22+ρgh2.P1+12ρv12+ρgh1=P2+12ρv22+ρgh2. size 12{P rSub { size 8{1} } + { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{1} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{1} } =P rSub { size 8{2} } + { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{2} } } {}
(1)

Both P1P1 size 12{P rSub { size 8{1} } } {} and P2P2 size 12{P rSub { size 8{2} } } {} equal atmospheric pressure (P1P1 size 12{P rSub { size 8{1} } } {} is atmospheric pressure because it is the pressure at the top of the reservoir. P2P2 size 12{P rSub { size 8{2} } } {} must be atmospheric pressure, since the emerging water is surrounded by the atmosphere and cannot have a pressure different from atmospheric pressure.) and subtract out of the equation, leaving

12ρv12+ρgh1=12ρv22+ρgh2.12ρv12+ρgh1=12ρv22+ρgh2. size 12{ { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{1} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{1} } = { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{2} } } {}
(2)

Solving this equation for v22v22 size 12{v rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } } {}, noting that the density ρ ρ cancels (because the fluid is incompressible), yields

v22=v12+2g(h1−h2).v22=v12+2g(h1−h2). size 12{v rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } =v rSub { size 8{1} } rSup { size 8{2} } +2g \( h rSub { size 8{1} } - h rSub { size 8{2} } \) } {}
(3)

We let h=h1−h2h=h1−h2 size 12{h=h rSub { size 8{1} } - h rSub { size 8{2} } } {}; the equation then becomes

v22=v12+2ghv22=v12+2gh size 12{v rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } =v rSub { size 8{1} } rSup { size 8{2} } +2 ital "gh"} {}
(4)

where hh size 12{h} {} is the height dropped by the water. This is simply a kinematic equation for any object falling a distance hh size 12{h} {} with negligible resistance. In fluids, this last equation is called Torricelli’s theorem. Note that the result is independent of the velocity’s direction, just as we found when applying conservation of energy to falling objects.

Figure 1: (a) Water gushes from the base of the Studen Kladenetz dam in Bulgaria. (credit: Kiril Kapustin; http://www.ImagesFromBulgaria.com) (b) In the absence of significant resistance, water flows from the reservoir with the same speed it would have if it fell the distance hh size 12{h} {} without friction. This is an example of Torricelli’s theorem.
Part a of the figure shows a photograph of a dam with water gushing from a large tube at the base of a dam. Part b shows the schematic diagram for the flow of water in a reservoir. The reservoir is shown in the form of a triangular section with a horizontal opening along the base little near to the base. The water is shown to flow through the horizontal opening near the base. The height which it falls is shown as h two. The pressure and velocity of water at this point are P two and v two. The height to which the water can fall if it falls from a height h above the opening is given by h 2. The pressure and velocity of water at this point are P one and v one.
Figure 2: Pressure in the nozzle of this fire hose is less than at ground level for two reasons: the water has to go uphill to get to the nozzle, and speed increases in the nozzle. In spite of its lowered pressure, the water can exert a large force on anything it strikes, by virtue of its kinetic energy. Pressure in the water stream becomes equal to atmospheric pressure once it emerges into the air.
Figure shows a fire engine that is stationed next to a tall building. A floor of the building ten meters above the ground has caught fire. The flames are shown coming out. A fire man has reached close to the fire caught area using a ladder and is spraying water on the fire using a hose attached to the fire engine.

All preceding applications of Bernoulli’s equation involved simplifying conditions, such as constant height or constant pressure. The next example is a more general application of Bernoulli’s equation in which pressure, velocity, and height all change. (See Figure 2.)

Example 1: Calculating Pressure: A Fire Hose Nozzle

Fire hoses used in major structure fires have inside diameters of 6.40 cm. Suppose such a hose carries a flow of 40.0 L/s starting at a gauge pressure of 1.62×106N/m21.62×106N/m2 size 12{1 "." "62" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {}. The hose goes 10.0 m up a ladder to a nozzle having an inside diameter of 3.00 cm. Assuming negligible resistance, what is the pressure in the nozzle?

Strategy

Here we must use Bernoulli’s equation to solve for the pressure, since depth is not constant.

Solution

Bernoulli’s equation states

P 1 + 1 2 ρv 1 2 +ρ gh1 =P2+ 12 ρv22 +ρ gh2 , P 1 + 1 2 ρv 1 2 +ρ gh1 =P2+ 12 ρv22 +ρ gh2 , size 12{P rSub { size 8{1} } + { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{1} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{1} } =P rSub { size 8{2} } + { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSub { size 8{2} } rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{2} } } {}
(5)

where the subscripts 1 and 2 refer to the initial conditions at ground level and the final conditions inside the nozzle, respectively. We must first find the speeds v1v1 size 12{v rSub { size 8{1} } } {} and v2v2 size 12{v rSub { size 8{2} } } {}. Since Q = A 1 v 1 Q = A 1 v 1 size 12{Q=A rSub { size 8{1} } v"" lSub { size 8{1} } } {} , we get

v1=QA1=40.0×10−3m3/sπ(3.20×10−2m)2=12.4m/s.v1=QA1=40.0×10−3m3/sπ(3.20×10−2m)2=12.4m/s. size 12{v rSub { size 8{1} } = { {Q} over {A rSub { size 8{1} } } } = { {"40" "." 0 times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 3} } " m" rSup { size 8{3} } "/s"} over {π \( 3 "." "20" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - 2} } " m" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } } ="12" "." 4" m/s"} {}
(6)

Similarly, we find

v2=56.6 m/s.v2=56.6 m/s. size 12{v rSub { size 8{2} } ="56" "." 6" m/s"} {}
(7)

(This rather large speed is helpful in reaching the fire.) Now, taking h1h1 size 12{h rSub { size 8{1} } } {} to be zero, we solve Bernoulli’s equation for P2P2 size 12{P rSub { size 8{2} } } {}:

P2=P1+12ρ v 1 2 − v 2 2 −ρgh2.P2=P1+12ρ v 1 2 − v 2 2 −ρgh2. size 12{P rSub { size 8{2} } =P rSub { size 8{1} } + { {1} over {2} } ρ \( v rSub { size 8{1} rSup { size 8{2} } } - v rSub { size 8{2} rSup { size 8{2} } } \) - ρ ital "gh" rSub { size 8{2} } } {}
(8)

Substituting known values yields

P2=1.62×106N/m2+12(1000kg/m3)(12.4m/s)2−(56.6m/s)2−(1000kg/m3)(9.80m/s2)(10.0m)=0.P2=1.62×106N/m2+12(1000kg/m3)(12.4m/s)2−(56.6m/s)2−(1000kg/m3)(9.80m/s2)(10.0m)=0. size 12{P rSub { size 8{2} } =1 "." "62" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } " N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } + { {1} over {2} } \( "1000"" kg/m" rSup { size 8{3} } \) left [ \( "12" "." 4" m/s" \) rSup { size 8{2} } - \( "56" "." 6" m/s" \) rSup { size 8{2} } right ] - \( "1000"" kg/m" rSup { size 8{3} } \) \( 9 "." 8" m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } \) \( "10" "." 0" m" \) =0} {}
(9)

Discussion

This value is a gauge pressure, since the initial pressure was given as a gauge pressure. Thus the nozzle pressure equals atmospheric pressure, as it must because the water exits into the atmosphere without changes in its conditions.

Power in Fluid Flow

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy in any form is used or supplied. To see the relationship of power to fluid flow, consider Bernoulli’s equation:

P+12ρv2+ρgh=constant.P+12ρv2+ρgh=constant. size 12{P+ { {1} over {2} } ρv rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh"="constant"} {}
(10)

All three terms have units of energy per unit volume, as discussed in the previous section. Now, considering units, if we multiply energy per unit volume by flow rate (volume per unit time), we get units of power. That is, (E/V)(V/t)=E/t(E/V)(V/t)=E/t size 12{ \( E/V \) \( V/t \) =E/t} {}. This means that if we multiply Bernoulli’s equation by flow rate QQ size 12{Q} {}, we get power. In equation form, this is

P+12ρv2+ρghQ=power.P+12ρv2+ρghQ=power. size 12{ left (P+ { {1} over {2} } ρv rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" right )Q="power"} {}
(11)

Each term has a clear physical meaning. For example, PQPQ size 12{ ital "PQ"} {} is the power supplied to a fluid, perhaps by a pump, to give it its pressure PP size 12{P} {}. Similarly, 12ρv2Q12ρv2Q size 12{ { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } ρv rSup { size 8{2} } Q} {} is the power supplied to a fluid to give it its kinetic energy. And ρghQρghQ size 12{ρ ital "ghQ"} {} is the power going to gravitational potential energy.

Making Connections: Power:

Power is defined as the rate of energy transferred, or E/tE/t size 12{E/t} {}. Fluid flow involves several types of power. Each type of power is identified with a specific type of energy being expended or changed in form.

Example 2: Calculating Power in a Moving Fluid

Suppose the fire hose in the previous example is fed by a pump that receives water through a hose with a 6.40-cm diameter coming from a hydrant with a pressure of 0.700×106N/m20.700×106N/m2 size 12{0 "." "700" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {}. What power does the pump supply to the water?

Strategy

Here we must consider energy forms as well as how they relate to fluid flow. Since the input and output hoses have the same diameters and are at the same height, the pump does not change the speed of the water nor its height, and so the water’s kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy are unchanged. That means the pump only supplies power to increase water pressure by 0.92×106N/m20.92×106N/m2 size 12{0 "." "92" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} (from 0.700×106N/m20.700×106N/m2 size 12{0 "." "700" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} to 1.62×106N/m21.62×106N/m2 size 12{1 "." "62" times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {}).

Solution

As discussed above, the power associated with pressure is

power = PQ = 0.920×106N/m2 40.0×10−3m3/s. = 3.68×104W=36.8kW power = PQ = 0.920×106N/m2 40.0×10−3m3/s. = 3.68×104W=36.8kW .
(12)

Discussion

Such a substantial amount of power requires a large pump, such as is found on some fire trucks. (This kilowatt value converts to about 50 hp.) The pump in this example increases only the water’s pressure. If a pump—such as the heart—directly increases velocity and height as well as pressure, we would have to calculate all three terms to find the power it supplies.

Summary

  • Power in fluid flow is given by the equation P1+12ρv2+ρghQ=power,P1+12ρv2+ρghQ=power, size 12{ left (P rSub { size 8{1} } + { {1} over {2} } ρv rSup { size 8{2} } +ρ ital "gh" right )Q="power"} {} where the first term is power associated with pressure, the second is power associated with velocity, and the third is power associated with height.

Conceptual Questions

Exercise 1

Based on Bernoulli’s equation, what are three forms of energy in a fluid? (Note that these forms are conservative, unlike heat transfer and other dissipative forms not included in Bernoulli’s equation.)

Exercise 2

Water that has emerged from a hose into the atmosphere has a gauge pressure of zero. Why? When you put your hand in front of the emerging stream you feel a force, yet the water’s gauge pressure is zero. Explain where the force comes from in terms of energy.

Exercise 3

The old rubber boot shown in Figure 3 has two leaks. To what maximum height can the water squirt from Leak 1? How does the velocity of water emerging from Leak 2 differ from that of leak 1? Explain your responses in terms of energy.

Figure 3: Water emerges from two leaks in an old boot.
The picture shows a boot filled with water. The water is shown emerging from two leaks in the old boot, one in front and another at the back. The leaks are at the same height. The leaks are labeled as Leak 1 and Leak 2 respectively.

Exercise 4

Water pressure inside a hose nozzle can be less than atmospheric pressure due to the Bernoulli effect. Explain in terms of energy how the water can emerge from the nozzle against the opposing atmospheric pressure.

Problems & Exercises

Exercise 1

Hoover Dam on the Colorado River is the highest dam in the United States at 221 m, with an output of 1300 MW. The dam generates electricity with water taken from a depth of 150 m and an average flow rate of 650m3/s650m3/s size 12{"650"`m rSup { size 8{3} } "/s"} {}. (a) Calculate the power in this flow. (b) What is the ratio of this power to the facility’s average of 680 MW?

Solution

(a) 9.56×108W9.56×108W

(b) 1.41

Exercise 2

A frequently quoted rule of thumb in aircraft design is that wings should produce about 1000 N of lift per square meter of wing. (The fact that a wing has a top and bottom surface does not double its area.) (a) At takeoff, an aircraft travels at 60.0 m/s, so that the air speed relative to the bottom of the wing is 60.0 m/s. Given the sea level density of air to be 1.29kg/m31.29kg/m3 size 12{1 "." "29"`"kg/m" rSup { size 8{3} } } {}, how fast must it move over the upper surface to create the ideal lift? (b) How fast must air move over the upper surface at a cruising speed of 245 m/s and at an altitude where air density is one-fourth that at sea level? (Note that this is not all of the aircraft’s lift—some comes from the body of the plane, some from engine thrust, and so on. Furthermore, Bernoulli’s principle gives an approximate answer because flow over the wing creates turbulence.)

Exercise 3

The left ventricle of a resting adult’s heart pumps blood at a flow rate of 83.0cm3/s83.0cm3/s size 12{"83" "." 0`"cm" rSup { size 8{3} } "/s"} {}, increasing its pressure by 110 mm Hg, its speed from zero to 30.0 cm/s, and its height by 5.00 cm. (All numbers are averaged over the entire heartbeat.) Calculate the total power output of the left ventricle. Note that most of the power is used to increase blood pressure.

Solution

1.26 W

Exercise 4

A sump pump (used to drain water from the basement of houses built below the water table) is draining a flooded basement at the rate of 0.750 L/s, with an output pressure of 3.00×105N/m23.00×105N/m2 size 12{3 "." "00" times "10" rSup { size 8{5} } `"N/m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {}. (a) The water enters a hose with a 3.00-cm inside diameter and rises 2.50 m above the pump. What is its pressure at this point? (b) The hose goes over the foundation wall, losing 0.500 m in height, and widens to 4.00 cm in diameter. What is the pressure now? You may neglect frictional losses in both parts of the problem.

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