Flow Rate and Continuity

Practice flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts in flow rate and fluid dynamics.

Flow Rate

The volume of fluid passing a cross section per unit time, typically measured in m³/s.

Laminar Flow

A smooth and orderly flow where fluid particles move in parallel layers with minimal disruption.

Turbulent Flow

An unstable and chaotic flow pattern characterized by eddies and vortices.

Streamlines

Lines that represent the instantaneous direction of fluid particle velocities.

Equation of Continuity

The principle stating that the mass flow rate of a fluid must remain constant from one cross section of a pipe to another.

Continuum Assumption

The simplification of fluid properties as continuous distributions rather than discrete particles.

Volume Flow Rate Formula

Volume flow rate (Q) is calculated as Q = A × v, where A is the cross-sectional area and v is the fluid velocity.

Density (ρ)

The mass per unit volume of a fluid, often variable in fluid dynamics depending on position.

Mass Flow Rate

The mass of fluid passing through a cross section per unit time, expressed as ∆m/∆t.

Viscous Fluid

A fluid with significant internal resistance to flow due to friction between its particles.

Non-Viscous Fluid

An ideal fluid with negligible friction; flow is smooth and streamlined without resistance.