A pipe has cross-sectional areas $4$ cm$^2$ and $1$ cm$^2$. If velocity in the wider section is $2$ m/s, velocity in the narrower section is:
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The velocity of a fluid is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area ($v \propto 1/A$). If the area decreases by a factor of 4 (from 4 to 1), the velocity must increase by a factor of 4 ($2 \times 4 = 8$).
Concept:
For an incompressible fluid flowing through a pipe of varying cross-section, the principle of continuity applies. It states that the mass flow rate remains constant throughout the pipe, which leads to the equation:
\[ A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2 \]
Where:
• $A$ is the cross-sectional area.
• $v$ is the velocity of the fluid at that section.
Step 1: Identify the given values.
From the provided problem data:
• Area of wider section ($A_1$) = $4$ cm$^2$
• Velocity in wider section ($v_1$) = $2$ m/s
• Area of narrower section ($A_2$) = $1$ cm$^2$
Step 2: Apply the Equation of Continuity.
Substitute the known values into the formula:
\[ (4 \text{ cm}^2) \times (2 \text{ m/s}) = (1 \text{ cm}^2) \times v_2 \]
\[ 8 \text{ cm}^2 \cdot \text{m/s} = 1 \text{ cm}^2 \cdot v_2 \]
Step 3: Solve for the unknown velocity.
\[ v_2 = \frac{8}{1} \text{ m/s} \]
\[ v_2 = 8 \text{ m/s} \]