MCQEasyJEE 2025Bernoulli's Theorem

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

Water flows in a horizontal pipe whose one end is closed with a valve. The reading of the pressure gauge attached to the pipe is P1P_1. The reading of the pressure gauge falls to P2P_2 when the valve is opened. The speed of water flowing in the pipe is proportional to:

  • A

    P1P2\sqrt{P_1 - P_2}

  • B

    (P1P2)2(P_1 - P_2)^2

  • C

    (P1P2)4(P_1 - P_2)^4

  • D

    P1P2P_1 - P_2

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Water flows in a horizontal pipe. When the valve is closed, the pressure gauge reads P1P_1 and the water is at rest, so velocity is 00. When the valve is opened, the pressure becomes P2P_2 and the water flows with speed vv.

Find: How vv depends on P1P2P_1 - P_2.

Use Bernoulli's principle for horizontal flow:

P+12ρv2=constantP + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 = \text{constant}

When the valve is closed:

P1=constantP_1 = \text{constant}

When the valve is opened:

P2+12ρv2=constantP_2 + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 = \text{constant}

Equating these:

P1=P2+12ρv2P_1 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2

So,

12ρv2=P1P2\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 = P_1 - P_2

Therefore,

v2=2(P1P2)ρv^2 = \frac{2(P_1 - P_2)}{\rho}

Hence,

v=2(P1P2)ρv = \sqrt{\frac{2(P_1 - P_2)}{\rho}}

So the speed is proportional to P1P2\sqrt{P_1 - P_2}. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Direct Bernoulli Relation

Given: The pipe is horizontal, so height terms do not change. Pressure falls from P1P_1 to P2P_2 when water starts flowing.

Find: The proportional relation for speed vv.

From Bernoulli's equation for horizontal flow,

P1P2=12ρv2P_1 - P_2 = \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2

Thus,

vP1P2v \propto \sqrt{P_1 - P_2}

Therefore, the correct option is A. This shortcut works because the pressure drop is converted into kinetic energy per unit volume.

Common mistakes

  • Using pressure directly instead of pressure difference. This is wrong because fluid speed depends on the drop from P1P_1 to P2P_2, not on either reading alone. Always form P1P2P_1 - P_2 before applying Bernoulli's equation.

  • Assuming speed is proportional to P1P2P_1 - P_2 instead of its square root. This is wrong because Bernoulli's equation gives v2P1P2v^2 \propto P_1 - P_2. Therefore, take the square root to relate speed to pressure difference.

  • Forgetting that the valve-closed case has zero velocity. This is wrong because the first state is used as the reference state in Bernoulli's equation. Treat the closed-valve condition as v=0v = 0 and then compare it with the flowing state.

Practice more Bernoulli's Theorem questions

Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.

Related questions