Bernoullis Principle
Developed in the eighteenth century by Daniel Bernoulli, Bernoullis Principle states that when the speed of a fluid increases, the pressure exerted by the fluid decreases. The principle forms the basis for many practical applications, such as airplane wings, pumps, and even home-heating systems.
Before delving too deep into the specifics of Bernoullis Principle, it is important to understand what a fluid actually is. According to the definition provided by the National Weather Service, a fluid is any material, such as water, air, or smoke, that tends to flow or conform to the outline of its container. This definition serves as a useful starting point for understanding Bernoullis Principle.
Essentially, Bernoullis Principle states that when the speed of a fluid increases, the pressure exerted by the fluid decreases. This phenomenon is an example of what is known as the conservation of energy. In other words, the energy present in the fluid is conserved, meaning it cannot be created or destroyed. The energy of a fluid is a combination of two forms: pressure and kinetic energy. When fluid moves faster, the pressure in the fluid decreases, while the kinetic energy increases. The law of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy in the system must remain constant; when the pressure decreases, the kinetic energy must increase to keep the total energy in the system constant.
Furthermore, there are several important implications that arise from Bernoullis Principle. It explains the behavior of some common everyday phenomena, such as why air flows over a curved surface such as an airplane wing. Bernoullis Principle states that when a fluid moves over a curved surface, the speed of the fluid increases, thus decreasing the pressure. This decrease in pressure results in the air moving over the wing, creating lift, and allowing the wing to support the aircraft.
Beyond the application of Bernoullis Principal in aviation, it is also applicable to fields such as engineering, medicine, and even architecture. In the field of engineering, it is used to explain evaporation processes and the flow of liquids through tubes, such as found in home heating system: when a fluid flows through a tube, the speed of the fluid increases, resulting in a decrease in pressure. This decrease in pressure results in the transfer of heat and allows proper circulation throughout the home.
In medicine, Bernoullis Principle is used to explain the flow of blood through the body. The principle states that as the speed of the blood increases, the pressure exerted by the blood decreases. This decrease in pressure allows blood to travel more quickly through the body, allowing for more efficient and effective circulation.
Finally, the principle is also applicable to architecture. Architects use the principle to design buildings in accordance with local wind conditions, making the most of wind effects to reduce energy costs, as well as for aesthetic purposes. The decrease in pressure resulting from the increase in speed is used to “funnel” wind around the building, resulting in energy savings due to the reduced energy needed to overcome the wind’s force.
In summary, Bernoullis Principle is a phenomenon developed in the eighteenth century by Daniel Bernoulli that states that when the speed of a fluid increases, the pressure exerted by the fluid decreases. This principle is used to explain many everyday phenomena, such as why a curved surface, such as an airplane wing, produces lift. It is also used in fields such as engineering, medicine, and architecture for practical application.
