BERNOULIES

THEOREM

IT states that the total 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.
BERNOULIS EQUTION
PROOF

P
1 2
+ gh+ v

::-

1. The liquid is incompressible.

2. The liquid is non-viscous.
3. The flow is steady and the velocity of the liquid

is less than the critical

velocity for the liquid.

Imagine an incompressible and non-viscous liquid to be flowing through a pipe

of various cross-sectional area as shown In figure. The liquid enters the pipe with
normal velocity V1 at its wide end A at height of h1 and leaves the pipe with velocity
V2 at its narrow end B at a height of h2 above the earths surface.
If is the density of the incompressible liquid then from equation of continuity

a1 v 1 =a 2 v 2 =m
a1 v 1=a2 v 2=

--------- I

The pressure energy exerts a force P1a1 on the liquid at the end A, the liquid covers
distance V1 in one second, therefore workdone on liquid per second at end A =
P1a1v1 similarly workdone on liquid per second at end B = P 2a2v2.

Hence, net workdone by pressure energy in moving liquid from A to B.

W =P 1 a1 v 1P 2 a2 v 2
P1

m
m
P2

----------- [ from

I ]----II
When the mass m of the liquid flows in one second from end A to B, its height
increases from h1 to h2, therefore increase in potential energy of the liquid per
second

mg(h2h2)

-------III

Further when the mass of the liquid flows in one second from end A to B, its
velocity increases V1 to v2, therefore increase in kinetic energy of the liquid per
second

1
2
2
m( V 2V 1)
2

------- IV

According to work energy conservation principle, workdone by pressure energy

per second.
W = Increase in K.E. +
i.e.

P1

Increase in P.E.

m
m 1
2
2
P2 = m ( V 2V 1 ) + mg(h2h2)

Dividing by

1
2
2
P1P2= ( V 2 V 1) + g (h2h1)
2

1
1
P1P2= V 22 V 21 + g h2g h1
2
2

1
1
2
2
P1+ V 1 + g h1=P 2+ V 2 + g h2
2
2
OR

1
P+ V 2+ gh=constnat
2
Dividing by

P
1V
+h+
=constant
g
2 g
P
1
+ gh+ V 2=constant

APPLICATIONS OF BERNOULLIS
THEOREM

1. AIR FOIL ( LIFT OF AN AEROPLANE ).

a1 v 1=a2 v 2
av
1
2
P+ V + gh=constant
2
a V

1
V 2 P
2

It becomes possible because of the characteristics shape of the airfoil as

shown in figure. Dynamic lift is the force that acts on a body such as airplane
wing, a hydrofoil or a spinning ball by virtue of its motion through a fluid.
The upper face of the airfoil is more curved than lower one. When
streamlines flow past the airfoil, they split up at the leading edge but join
again at the trailing edge. These streamlines above the airfoil follow the
curvature of the surface of airfoil closely. But those at increasing distance
from the surface become less and less curve therefore in accordance with the
equation of continuity as the cross sectional area of the tubes of flow above
the air foil decreases, the velocity of the air increases. The application of
Bernoullis theorem tells that the pressure above the air should decrease.
This difference of pressure between upper and lower surface of the airfoil
gives rise to an upward lift called dynamic lift.

2. ATOMISER OR SPRAYER

An atomizer is usually use in perfume and deodorant bottles. When the

rubber balloon is pressed, the air passes with a large velocity over the tube
dipping in the liquid to be sprayed due to this the pressure over the tube
dipping the liquid decreases. It makes the liquid rise u in the tube. Due to the
applied pressure the air rushing out with a large velocity from the balloon
blows away the liquid coming out of the nozzle in the form of a fine spring.

3. BLOWING OF THE ROOF OF HOUSES DURING A STORM.

In storm, cyclone or hurricane sometimes the light roofs of thateled
houses are blown off. This is because, due to the high velocity wind blowing
over the pressure over the roof decreases. As the atmospheric pressure
below the roof greater than the pressure above the roof, the roof gets lifted
and is blown away by the wind.

4. A PERSON STANDING NEAR THE RAILWAY TRACK IS

PULLED TOWARDS THE TRAIN WHEN A FAST MOVING TRAIN
PASSES CLOSE TO HIM.
The fast train decreases the pressure between person and the train. Due
to the greater value of the pressure on the other side of the person, the
person gets pushed towards the railway track.

5. TWO SHIPS SAILING IN THE OCEAN GET PULLED TOWARD

EACH OTHER, IF THEY COME CLOSE OT EACH OTHER.
As the ships moves with high velocity their kinetic energy is increase and
therefore from Bernoullis theorem the pressure rising in between the ships is
decreased hence they are pulled towards each other.

6. BUNSENS BURNER

In Bunsens burner the gas escapes through the fine nozzle N with a high
velocity. As shown in figure it results in lowering of the pressure in the
neighborhood of the nozzle, due to decrease in pressure inside a burner. The
atmospheric air enters through the holes HH. The air and gas mixture rising
up produces a flame when ignited.

7. CURVED PATH OF SPINNIG BALL.

When spinning ball is thrown with a large speed as shown in figure, then the
layer of the air moving above the ball gets retarded and the layer below the ball
gets accelerated due to the spin motion it is because the layer above the ball
moves in a direction opposite to that of the spinning ball. On the other hand the
layer below it moves in the direction of spin thus the velocity and hence the kinetic
energy of the layer of the air above the ball becomes less than that of the below it.
According to Bernoullis theorem the pressure energy and hence pressure of the air
above the ball becomes greater than that below it. Due to this difference in pressure
of the two sides of the ball the path of the ball changes.