Physics Trinity Valley School Page 1

Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003

Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

Lesson 61 - Derivation of Bernoullis Equation

We focus on the case of an incompressible fluid with density (= a constant) moving

with a constant, non-turbulent volume flow rate (= A1v1 m3/s = A2v2 m3/s = a constant).
The pressure is also constant as long as the radius and elevation are constant. The radius
of the pipe and the elevation of the pipe may change, however.

We will follow the pressure changes in a volume of fluid (volume element) flowing first
at point #1, then at point #2. The same volume flow rate is observed at both points in the
pipe by our assumption. We choose two points where the pipe and thus the velocity of
the fluid are horizontal to simplify the math without changing the general conclusions.
The following diagram summarizes the general case.

The total mechanical energy of the volume element at position #1, E1, is

E1 = kinetic energy + potential energy = m1v12 + m1gy1

(where v1 is velocity, y1 is elevation, m1 is mass)

Similarly for the volume element at position #2, its total mechanical energy, E2, is

E2 = kinetic energy + potential energy = m2v22 + m2gy2

(where v2 is velocity, y2 is elevation, m2 is mass)

Under our assumed conditions of constant volume flow for an incompressible fluid, the
mass of the volume elements is conserved during the flow, so that we may substitute

m1 = m2 = m
Physics Trinity Valley School Page 2
Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003
Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

Clearly, if the flow was steady (v1 = v2 = v), and if there was no change in the elevation
(y1 = y2 = y), then there would be no change in the total mechanical energy of the fluid.
If, however, either one or both of those parameters changes between position #1 and
position #2, there will be changes in the total mechanical energy of the fluid, as follows:

E2 E1 = mv22 + mgy2 mv12 mgy1

This difference in mechanical energy arises from the Net Work done on the system, ie,
the Net Work done on all the fluid in the pipe between point #1 and point #2.

(Net Work = Work done on the fluid minus work done by the fluid = Won Wout)

At point #1, Won = [force][distance] = [pressure area][velocity time interval]

= (P1A1)(v1t) (t is time to move an element length)

= P1(A1v1t) / (/ inserted)

But (A1v1t) is the mass of our volume element at position #1. Note that (v1t) is
simply the length of the volume element; A1 is its cross-sectional area. Those two
multiplied together give us its volume. Density times volume equals mass. Therefore,

Won = P1 m /

The same arguments apply at point #2. The work done by the system will be subtracted
because this work decreases the total mechanical energy of the fluid.

Wout = P2 m /

Thus, the net work done on the fluid, which is the work done on the system minus the
work done by the system, is

Won Wout = P1 m / ( P2 m / ) = (P1 P2) m /

This Net Work is the source of the energy difference, E2 E1, which we can rearrange as
follows:

E2 E1 = m { (v22 v12) + g (y2 y1)}

Physics Trinity Valley School Page 3
Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003
Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

Now, the Net Work and the change in mechanical energy must equal each other (Work-
Energy Theorem), therefore,

(P1 P2) m / = m { (v22 v12) + g (y2 y1)}

The mass terms cancel, because the fluid is incompressible, and we can move the density
to the other side of the equation, leaving,

P1 P2 = { (v22 v12) + g (y2 y1)}

= (v22) (v12) + (gy2) (gy1)

Or, after moving all negative terms to the opposite side of the equation,

P1 + (v12) + (gy1) = P2 + (v22) + (gy2)

Which gives us Bernoullis Equation in its normal presentation as

P1 + v12 + gy1 = P2 + v22 + gy2 = constant everywhere in the fluid

Interpretation of Bernoullis Equation

We should first note that, if the cross-sectional areas at points #1 and #2 are the same,
then the two velocities are equal and the v2-terms cancel each other. Further, if there
is no difference in the heights at points #1 and #2, the two gy-terms cancel each other.
If both are true, then no matter what happens to the pipe size and elevation between these
two points, the pressure at these two points will still be equal; P1 = P2.

If we examine the case where only the elevation is constant, then we get

P1 + v12 = P2 + v22

This takes a little contemplation, but what this equation tells us is that as the velocity
increases the pressure decreases. Think of it this way: the two sides of the equation must
remain equal. If v2 increases because of a decrease in A2, then P2 must decrease in order
for their sum to maintain its equality with the left side of the equation.
Physics Trinity Valley School Page 4
Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003
Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

It is easy to demonstrate that this is true. The mathematics is elegant and simple, but
sometimes you just have to check with the universe to make sure it agrees with you. So,
try this little experiment for yourself.

Hold a piece of paper bent-over and hanging vertically from just below your lips. Blow
horizontally just above the top of the bent leading edge of the paper. Do not blow under
the paper; that would be easier but not in the spirit of Bernoullis Equation. Like this

Applications of Bernoullis Equation

Operation of an airplane wing:

There is a lot more going on with the airplane wing than shown in this diagram. We are
ignoring turbulence and the fact that air is a compressible fluid, among other things. But
the general idea should be clear. The higher velocity above the wing means less pressure
above the wing. The higher pressure below then pushes up on the wing, which keeps the
airplane in the air. All planes have a minimum air speed they must maintain in order to
fly. It is the speed that creates a pressure difference sufficient to hold the plane in the air.
Below that speed there will still be a pressure difference between the air above the wing
and the air below the wing. It will simply be too small to support the weight of the plane,
and the plane will no longer fly.
Physics Trinity Valley School Page 5
Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003
Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

Venturi Tube: Variants of this concept can also be used for measuring quantities of gas
flowing through a tube, for measuring the speed of subsonic aircraft, for measuring the
volumes of oil or natural gas flowing through a pipeline, among others.

For simplicity we will consider here only the velocity of a flowing, non-compressible
liquid. When working with gases one has to take adequate account of the fact that the
density it not constant, that the gas is compressible, and that the gas temperature changes
as the pressure changes. The mathematics for that case is a bit more involved than we
want to address here. Therefore, we will only look at the simplest case. Elevation will
not be an issue since the center points of our Venturi Tube are at the same elevation
everywhere along its length. Even though we envision measuring the pressure difference
using a mercury manometer, these are hardly ever used any longer. There are many
ingenious mechanical devices used instead for measuring pressure differences.

The centers of all the tubes have a common elevation; therefore the gravity-terms drop
out of Bernoullis equation. This leaves

P1 + v12 = P2 + v22 or P1 - P2 = v22 - v12 = (v22 - v12)

The pressure difference measured by the mercury manometer is

P1 - P2 = gh

Assuming we know v1 and need to find v2, we begin by assuming an incompressible fluid
and use the constant volume flow equation to remove v1 by substitution. Thus,

A1v1 = A2v2
So
v1 = A2v2 / A1
Physics Trinity Valley School Page 6
Dr. Mitch Hoselton 6/29/2003
Physics: An Incremental Development, John H. Saxon, Jr.

Therefore, substituting these results into Bernoullis equation, yields

gh = (v22 (A2v2 / A1)2)

gh = v22 (1 (A2 / A1)2)

This can be solved for v22, as follows,

v22 = h 2g (/ ) / {1 (A2 / A1)2}

Everything to the right of the h consists of constants. The details depend on the sizes of
the pipes, the densities of the liquids, and the local value of g. For simplicity, we collect
most of these constants into one equipment-constant; call it K2. Then,

v22 = K2 (h / ) where K2 = 2g / {1 (A2 / A1)2}

If, instead, we know v2 and need to find v1, the same method applies. This time,

v12 = K1 (h / ) where K1 = 2g / { (A1 / A2)2 1}

Since K1 and K2 are apparatus specific, it is often easier to simply calibrate the apparatus
and find the values of these constants under known conditions rather than trying to
calculate them. Proper calibrations mean that only two careful measurements, of K and
, are required; not five careful measurements of g, , , A1, and A2.