Can Bernoulli's equation be used to describe the flow of water through a rapid in a river? Explain.
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Ans: Bernoulli's equation cannot describe the turbulent flow of fluids like that in a rapid river.
Water flow in a river is chaotic. Bernoulli's equation suggests that an increase in a fluid's velocity occurs concurrently with a decrease in static pressure or simultaneously with a reduction in potential energy throughout the water flow.
This theory is only applicable to isentropic flows, wherein turbulence and other disturbances are ignored.
There are various versions of Bernoulli's equation with respect to various flow kinds. For instance, incompressible flows obey the simple form of Bernoulli's equation whereas compressible flows obey an advanced form of the equation.
Bernoulli's theory is in accordance with the principle of energy conservation. Clearly, at each point on the flowing water in the river, the sum of any and all sources of energy is equal to that as in a steady flow. The sum for kinetic energy, internal energy and potential energy should also maintain stability.
Thus, Bernoulli's equation cannot describe the flow of water through a rapid in a river.