The continuity equation works under the assumption that the flow of a fluid in will equal the flow out (Q1 = Q2).
The flow rate of a fluid is the volume of fluid which passes through a surface in a given unit of time. It is usually represented by the symbol Q.
Volumetric flow rate is defined as Q = vA, where Q is the flow rate, v is the velocity of the fluid, and A is the area of the cross section of the space the fluid is moving through. Volumetric flow rate can also be found with Q=V/t, where Q is the flow rate, V is the Volume of fluid, and t is elapsed time.
The equation of continuity works under the assumption that the flow in will equal the flow out. This can be useful to solve for many properties of the fluid and its motion: Q1 = Q2. This can be expressed in many ways, for example: A1∗v1=A2∗v2. The equation of continuity applies to any incompressible fluid. Since the fluid cannot be compressed, the amount of fluid which flows into a surface must equal the amount flowing out of the surface.
You can observe the continuity equation’s effect in a garden hose. The water flows through the hose and when it reaches the narrower nozzle, the velocity of the water increases. Speed increases when cross-sectional area decreases, and speed decreases when cross-sectional area increases.
Practice Questions
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The tubular system in an aquarium
MCAT Official Prep (AAMC)
Key Points
• Flow rate can be expressed in either terms of cross sectional area and velocity, or volume and time.
• Because liquids are incompressible, the rate of flow into an area must equal the rate of flow out of an area. This is known as the equation of continuity.
• The equation of continuity can show how much the speed of a liquid increases if it is forced to flow through a smaller area. For example, if the area of a pipe is halved, the velocity of the fluid will double.
• Although gases often behave as fluids, they are not incompressible the way liquids are and so the continuity equation does not apply.
Key Terms
Incompressible: Unable to be compressed or condensed.
Continuity: Lack of interruption or disconnection; the quality of being continuous in space or time.
Flow rate: of a fluid is the volume of fluid which passes through a surface in a given unit of time.