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It states that the total energy (pressure energy, potential energy and kinetic energy) of an
incompressible and non-viscous fluid in steady flow through a pipe remains constant throughout
the flow, provided there is no source or sink of the fluid along the length of the pipe.
This statement is based on the assumption that there is no loss of energy due to friction.
Imagine an incompressible and non-viscous liquid to be flowing through a pipe of varying cross-
sectional area as shown in Fig. The liquid enters the pipe with a normal velocity v11 and at a
height h1 above the reference level (earth's surface). It leaves the pipe with a normal velocity v2
at the narrow end B of cross-sectional area a2 and at a height h2 above the earth's surface. at its
wide end A of cross-sectional area a
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If r is the density of the incompressible liquid, then in accordance with the equation of continuity,
the mass m of the liquid crossing any section of the pipe is given by
Let P1 and P2 be the values of the pressure due to the liquid at the ends A and B respectively. If
the liquid moves from the end A to B under the action of pressure difference P1 - P2, then in
accordance with energy conservation principle, the work done by the pressure energy of the
liquid must appear as the increase in potential and kinetic energies of the liquid.
The pressure energy exerts a force P1 a1 on the liquid at the end A. The liquid covers a distance
v1 in one second at the end A and therefore
The liquid reaches the end B against pressure P2 i.e. against a force P2 a2. At the end B, the
liquid covers a distance v2 in one second and therefore
Hence, net work done by the pressure energy in moving the liquid from the end A to B in one
second = P1 a1 v1 - P2 a2 v2
Using the equation (ii), we have
Net work done by the pressure energy per second = P1 m/ - P2 m/ = ( P1 - P2) m/ ... (iii)
When the mass m of the liquid flows in one second from the end A to B, its height increases from
h1 to h2.
Therefore, increase in potential energy of the liquid per second
Further, when the mass m of the liquid flows in one second from the end A to B, its velocity
increases from v1 to v2.
Therefore, increase in kinetic energy of the liquid per second = 1/2 mv22 - 1/2 mv12 = 1/2 m(v22
- v12) ... (v)
When the liquid flows through a horizontal pipe (h1 = h2), then the equation (vi) becomes
P1/ + 1/2 v12 + P2/ + 1/2 v22