Bernoulli’s Principle And Its Uses

Daniel Bernoulli proposed the concept of steady liquids in 1738 and interpreted the structure of different engineering-based materials depending on the principle. Bernoulli’s principle argues that if the speed of any fluid increases, it directly affects the pressure within the liquid, ie, the pressure reduces. 

Bernoulli’s principle applies to steady fluids only. There are many uses of Bernoulli’s principle, such as working on aeroplanes, the venturi effect, baseball, etc. Let’s understand more about the application of the Bernoulli theorem. 

Overview 

Bernoulli, a Swiss mathematician, proposed the Bernoulli theorem in the fluid dynamics area in 1738. In 1750, Leonhard Euler derived the standard derivation for Bernoulli’s equation.

Bernoulli’s principle gives the relationship between the speed of any liquid and the pressure within it. This principle claims that if the speed of any steady flowing fluid increases, it directly affects the pressure within the liquid, ie, the pressure reduces. 

Definition 

According to the Bernoulli theorem, there is a relationship between pressure, velocity and elevation within a flowing liquid.

In other words, the total mechanical energy of the moving fluid consists of energy correlated with the fluid pressure, the changing gravitational potential energy, and the kinetic energy of the moving fluid, which continues steadily. 

Bernoulli’s principle has been utilised in many engineering-related applications, such as aeroplanes, sailboats, etc. 

Other important concepts related to Bernoulli’s principle 

Bernoulli’s principle also indicated that if liquid flows in the horizontal direction, there will be no alteration in gravitational potential energy. Hence, reduction in fluid pressure is directly linked with the increased rate of fluid velocity. However, if the liquid is moving through a horizontal timeline with a different range of cross-sectional areas, then the pressure exerted on the fluid is less when the cross-sectional area is small. 

This is considered the Venturi effect. GB Venturi (1746-1822), an Italian scientist, was the first one who reviewed and stated the effects of constricted tunnels on the flow of liquid.  This equation is also regarded as the preservation of energy principle that applies to the moving liquids. It is generally mentioned with the term “Bernoulli effect”, which states that regions with low liquid pressure have high velocity. And in the case of high velocity, the area has high kinetic energy. 

Steady-state flow caveat

The equation of Bernoulli is valid for the flowing liquids, but it is not appropriate for the cases of liquids that have a constant flow. 

Applications of the principle of Bernoulli 

There are a vast number of applications of the Bernoulli theorem. Moreover, it is mainly used to study the liquids with unstable potential movement and hence used to investigate the theory of ocean surface tides and auricular. It is also supported in finding the parameters like pressure and speed of liquid. 

The other applications of this principle are mentioned below: 

Venturi metre: It is an instrument to measure the flow rate of fluids through the tube lines based on Bernoulli’s principle. 

Aeroplane functioning: The most common example of Bernoulli’s principle is the structure of an aeroplane. The construction of the arms of an aircraft is done in a way that air can pass at a higher speed over the upper surface than the lower surface. The variation in airspeed is evaluated and calculated through Bernoulli’s principle and develops a pressure variation. This pressure lifts the aeroplane and supports its flight. 

Falling of human beings towards moving trains: We tend to fall toward a moving train in front of us. We can interpret the situation with the help of Bernoulli’s principle. Bernoulli’s principle suggested that in fast-moving trains, the pressure reduces and increases the force pushing us toward the train. This is one condition under Bernoulli’s effect. 

Position of the baseball: In the case of baseball, when the ball is spinning, there is a difference between the pressure at the top and bottom parts of the ball. That leads to underestimation of the position of the ball. 

Boat sailing: Bernoulli’s principle is associated with the sailing of boats. There are two parts of sailboats, a sail and a keel, in opposite directions. With the increasing speed of the air, there will be a difference if pressure is created, which supports lifting and stimulating the sail towards the moving water. 

Conclusion

As shown above, there is the extensive usage of Bernoulli’s principle and equation in fluid mechanics. However, this principle is only applicable to steady fluids (liquids and gases). A pressure variation in the two sides of any material (sailboat, aeroplane, etc) can be lifted and moved according to the required direction. 

In the context of engineering-based fields, there will be more materials based on this principle. Bernoulli’s principle has other unfolding aspects, coming out in different areas.