Water is flowing through a pipe with a constriction. The area of the narrow section is one-half the area of the wide section. If the velocity of the incompressible fluid is 3.2 m/s in the wide section, then what is the velocity of the fluid in the narrow section?
A) 6.4 m/s
B) 5.9 m/s
C) 5.0 m/s
D) 4.7 m/s
E) 4.2 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The velocity of the fluid in the narrow section is determined by the principle of conservation of mass, which is represented by the equation A1V1 = A2V2, where A1 and V1 are the area and velocity in the wide section, and A2 and V2 are the area and velocity in the narrow section. Given that A2 is one-half of A1 (A2 = 1/2 A1) and V1 is 3.2 m/s, solving for V2 gives V2 = (A1/A2) * V1 = (2/1) * 3.2 m/s = 6.4 m/s.

Water Is Flowing Through a Pipe with a Constriction