Video Transcript
An identical fluid flows through
two pipes that decrease in thickness. In which of the pipes would the
flow be more likely to become turbulent? (A) Pipe 1, (B) pipe 2, (C) the
flow is equally likely to become turbulent in both pipes.
This question asks us about the
turbulence of the fluid in these two pipes with identical fluids. First, we know that we can
interpret the flow of a fluid with line diagrams that represent the direction and
speed of the fluid’s currents.
A more stable flow corresponds to
the direction and speed of the flow of the fluid that remains more or less constant
in a flow region. However, a more turbulent flow
corresponds to a greater change of direction and speed of the flow in a flow
region.
Now, looking at the diagrams we’ve
been given, in zone A we see that the lines are more smooth and less curved than in
zone B. Zone B, however, has these long
straight walls near the end. When fluid flows towards these
walls, rather than smoothly flowing into the smaller pipe, it may bounce off the
side of the wall and form turbulent currents. This indicates that in zone B,
there is a higher likelihood for the flow to become turbulent.
So, the correct answer is option
(B), pipe 2.
