Equation of Continuity

t

2.

r

1

1.25

r

2

0.8

v

1

0.8

The equation of continuity is a consequence of the conservation of mass and it applies to an incompressible fluid. The conservation of mass states that the mass flowing into the pipe is the same as that flowing out. Because the densities of the fluid are the same on both sides, the equation of continuity can be written as

A

1

v

1

=

A

2

v

2

, where

A

1

and

A

2

are the cross-sectional areas of the pipe and

v

1

and

v

2

are the velocities.