What happens to the kinetic energy of a fluid when it passes through a venturi?

When a fluid passes through a venturi, it experiences a change in velocity and pressure due to the constriction in the flow path. According to the principle of conservation of energy, specifically Bernoulli’s equation, as the fluid enters the narrower section of the venturi, its velocity must increase. This is due to the need to conserve mass and energy within the system as the same volume of fluid must pass through both the wider and narrower sections.

As the fluid’s velocity increases, its kinetic energy, which is a function of the square of the velocity, also increases. At the same time, the pressure in the fluid decreases in accordance with Bernoulli’s principle. Therefore, the increase in kinetic energy is directly associated with a decrease in pressure. This relationship illustrates the conversion of potential energy associated with high pressure into kinetic energy as the fluid accelerates through the venturi.

In summary, as the fluid passes through the venturi and pressure decreases, its kinetic energy increases, making the first choice the correct understanding of the phenomenon.