Question

A fluid flows through a pipe with a velocity that varies with time at a given point. What type of flow is this?

• A. Steady flow
• B. Unsteady flow
• C. Uniform flow
• D. Non-uniform flow

Hint:

Flow Classification. Steady vs Unsteady (Time dependence at a point). Uniform vs Non-uniform (Spatial variation at an instant).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Flow classification based on time dependence: - Steady flow: Fluid properties (velocity, pressure, density) at any given point in the flow field do not change with time (\(\partial/\partial t = 0\)).
- Unsteady flow (or Transient flow): Fluid properties at a point change with time (\(\partial/\partial t \neq 0\)).
Flow classification based on spatial variation: - Uniform flow: The velocity vector is the same (in magnitude and direction) at all points in the flow field at a given instant.
- Non-uniform flow: The velocity vector varies from point to point in the flow field at a given instant.
The question states that the velocity *varies with time* at a given point.
This directly corresponds to the definition of unsteady flow.