Question

A steady stream of water flowing in a narrow pipe reaches a point where the pipe widens. Does the speed of the water increase, decrease, or remain the same when the pipe widens? Explain.

Answer 1

According to the equation of continuity the rate of flow of water is always constant given by

R=AV, where R= rate of flow

A=area of the cross section

V= velocity of the water.

Here as the rate is constant which means

A1v1=A2v2

So

V2=A1V1/A2.

Which means that the Velocity of the water will decrease as area is inversely proportional to the Velocity hence the answer is that the speed of the water will decrease.

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