Bernoulli head components According to Bernoulli’s principle for steady incompressible flow along a streamline, the total head of a fluid particle equals the sum of which components?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Potential head, kinetic head, and pressure head

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Bernoulli’s equation is foundational in fluid mechanics for relating pressure, velocity, and elevation along a streamline in steady, inviscid, incompressible flow. It states that the total mechanical energy per unit weight (total head) remains constant, barring losses or addition of energy.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Steady flow along a streamline.
  • Incompressible fluid with negligible viscosity (idealization).
  • No shaft work, pumps, or turbines between the two points considered.


Concept / Approach:
The total head H is written as H = z + p/(ρ g) + V^2/(2 g), where z is potential (elevation) head, p/(ρ g) is pressure head, and V^2/(2 g) is velocity (kinetic) head. These components sum to a constant in an ideal flow without losses.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Potential head = elevation term z.Pressure head = p / (ρ g).Kinetic head = V^2 / (2 g).Total head = z + p/(ρ g) + V^2/(2 g).


Verification / Alternative check:
Units check: each term has units of length (metres of fluid), confirming all are “heads.” Including losses would add h_f on the right-hand side to balance real systems.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Pairs of two heads omit one essential component of Bernoulli.
  • “Turbulence head” is not a standard Bernoulli term; turbulence contributes to losses, not an ideal head component.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing pressure head with pressure; forgetting to divide by ρ g; mixing energy per unit mass with energy per unit weight; ignoring head losses in real pipelines.


Final Answer:
Potential head, kinetic head, and pressure head

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