What are some examples of Bernoulli's principle?


Quick Answer

Some real-world examples of Bernoulli's principle are the upward lift exerted upon the wings of airplanes gliders and birds, the upward pressure that enables liquids to be ejected from atomizers, the path taken by a curve ball, the air and fuel mixture created inside of a vehicle carburetor and the effect of wind over a chimney on a fireplace. In each of these examples, there exists a difference in pressure that creates a force within either a liquid or gaseous fluid medium that is capable of bringing about some form of physical movement. Although the most striking example of this applied principal occurred in 1903 with the first successful airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the basis of the effect was first described by Daniel Bernoulli in his book, "Hydrodynamica," published in 1738.

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Full Answer

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid medium, which can be either liquid or gaseous, also results in a decrease in pressure. This is the source of the upward lift developed by an aircraft wing, also known as the airfoil concept. The greater surface area on the upper side of an aircraft wing created by that side's convex surface requires the air to travel around it at a faster rate. This higher air velocity creates a lesser degree of air pressure on the top side of the wing compared to the flat bottom side. The difference in pressure accounts for the upward lift.

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