Sunday, December 6, 2009

Rinsing Out a Bottle of Gatorade

While I was rinsing out a bottle of Gatorade to be recycled, I realized that the water flowing out of the bottle exhibited fluid continuity. I can apply the equation for continuity of fluids because the water is in a closed system until it leaves the bottle and water is similar to an ideal fluid because it is nearly incompressible. According to the equation A1v1=A2v2, the velocity of the water should be higher where the area is smaller. The neck of the bottle has a smaller area, so the water flows out faster than at the bottom of the bottle (top in the picture). However, after the water leaves the bottle, the equation of fluid continuity can no longer be applied. The water then falls in free-fall motion due to the (downward!) force of gravity. Sorry for the lame picture...it was very difficult to take a picture while the water was actually flowing out of the bottle...

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