Bernoulli's Theorem - Practice Questions & MCQ

 For a point in a fluid flow, Bernoulli's Theorem relates between its pressure, its velocity and its height from a reference point.

Bernoulli's Theorem states that the total energy (Pressure energy, Potential energy, and Kinetic energy ) per unit volume or mass of an incompressible and non-viscous fluid in steady flow through a pipe remains constant throughout the flow. (Provided that  there is no source or sink of the fluid along the length of the pipe).

Mathematically for a liquid flowing through a pipe.

We can write Bernoulli's  equation as 

Bernoulli's Theorem can be proved with the help of work-energy theorem.

Bernoulli's equation also represents the conservation of mechanical energy in case of moving fluids.

• Bernoulli's theorem for the unit mass of liquid flowing through the pipe is given by

If we divide the above equation by g we get

Where

  h=gravitational head

• For the below figure

 With the help of Bernoulli's  equation 

We can write

The velocity of Efflux or Torricelli's Theorem-

If a liquid is filled in a vessel up to height H and a hole is made at a depth h below the free surface of the liquid as shown in fig.

Now take the level of the hole as reference level (i.e., zero point of potential energy)

And by applying Bernoulli's  equation we get

This v is called the Velocity of Efflux.

This formula is only valid when (Area of Hole) <<< (Area of the vessel)

Thus Torricelli's Theorem relates the speed of fluid flowing out of an orifice.

(Note-  The speed that an object would acquire in falling

from rest through a distance h is equal to

And this is same as that of Velocity of Efflux.)

• The velocity of efflux is independent of the nature of liquid (), the quantity of liquid in the vessel and the area of the orifice/hole.

• The velocity of efflux depends on h (i.e depth below the free surface)

            I.e Means Greater is the distance of the hole from the free surface of the liquid, greater will be the velocity of efflux

• As the distance of hole from the ground is (H-h) and its initial vertical velocity at hole is zero.

So Time taken by liquid  to reach the Ground =t is given by

Where

H - the height of the vessel

And  h= depth below the free surface

• Range (x)-

During time t liquid is moving horizontally with constant velocity v,

And it will hit the base level at a horizontal distance x as shown in the above figure.

This horizontal distance x is also called a Horizontal range.

Using x=vt

We get Range as

This range will be maximum when 

And Maximum value of the range is H

Means  

Venturimeter-

• It is a device is used for measuring the rate of flow of liquid through pipes.

• This device based on application Bernoulli's theorem.

• The image of the Venturi Meter device is given below

For the above figure

a₁ and a₂ are an area of cross-section of tube A and B respectively

And v₁ and v₂ are the Velocities of the flow of liquid through A and B respectively

And are the Liquid pressure at A and B respectively

Then ….(1)

Where = density of flowing liquid

And h=difference of fluid level between the vertical tube D and E

Now applying Bernoulli's  equation for the horizontal flow of liquid we get

If V=rate of the flow of liquid through a pipe

Then from the continuity equation, we can write

From equation (1) and (2) and (3)

We get

V=rate of the flow of liquid through pipe

 As

• Aspirator pumps-

This works on the principle of Bernoulli's Theorem.

Example of Aspirator pumps is paint-gun, scent-spray or insect-sprayer, etc.

In such devices, high-speed air is passed over a tube T with the help of motion of a piston P in a cylinder C and this helps to spray the liquid L as shown in the above figure.

 The high-speed air creates low pressure in the tube and because of the low-pressure liquid rise in it. And thus liquid gets sprayed with expelled air.

• Change of plane of motion of spinning ball-

This can be with the help of  the principle of Bernoulli's Theorem

Magnus effect- When a spinning ball is thrown it deviates from its usual path in flight. This effect is called the Magnus effect. 

This effect plays a very important role in sports like cricket, tennis, and football, etc.

• Working of an aeroplane-

This is also based on  Bernoulli's principle.

• During  a tornado or hurricane, blowing off roofs by wind storms can be explained 

with the help of  the principle of Bernoulli's Theorem