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Torricelli's Equation:
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Torricelli's equation describes the velocity of fluid flowing from an opening under the force of gravity. It states that the speed of efflux of a fluid under gravity is the same as the speed that would be attained by an object falling freely from the same height.
The calculator uses Torricelli's equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical maximum velocity that a fluid can achieve when flowing out of an opening under the influence of gravity, assuming no energy losses.
Details: Calculating velocity at the edge of a gravity pipe is crucial for designing efficient fluid systems, determining flow rates, and ensuring proper system performance in various engineering applications.
Tips: Enter gravitational acceleration (typically 9.81 m/s² on Earth) and head height in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What assumptions does Torricelli's equation make?
A: It assumes ideal fluid flow with no viscosity, no friction losses, and that the fluid container is large enough that the velocity at the top surface is negligible.
Q2: How accurate is this calculation in real-world applications?
A: The calculation provides theoretical maximum velocity. Real-world values will be lower due to friction, viscosity, and other energy losses.
Q3: Can this be used for any fluid?
A: The equation works for ideal fluids. For real fluids, additional factors like viscosity and density may need to be considered.
Q4: What is the relationship between head height and velocity?
A: Velocity increases with the square root of the head height - doubling the height increases velocity by about 41%.
Q5: How does gravitational acceleration affect the result?
A: Velocity increases with the square root of gravitational acceleration. On planets with different gravity, the velocity would change accordingly.