3.

6 understanding
Bernoulli’s Principle
Learning Outcome:
• State Bernoulli’s Principle.
• Explain that a resultant
force exists due to a
difference in fluid pressure.
• Describe the application of
Bernoulli’s Principle.
• Solve problems involving
Bernoulli’s Principle.
 How does an
aeroplane fly ?

Why the aeroplane has to move

fast on a runway before it can
take off ?
 To understand the principle

Carry out hands-on activity 3.7 on pg 65

(a) Blowing in between two pieces of paper
(b) Blow above a piece of paper.
(c) Blow through the space between two ping
pong balls
 Observation
Lower
Blown air pressure
move faster

Still air Higher

Conclusion : move slower pressure

When the air move faster, the

surrounding pressure becomes lower.
Demonstration hands-on activity 3.8 on pg 66

Observed the water level in each vertical tube

when
► Water is not flowing Water is flowing
Please note

Fluid flow faster

through a narrow
region
Observation Explanation
Pressure is the
same when water is
not flowing

PX = PY = PZ
Water flows from a
region of high
pressure to a region
of low pressure

P X > P Y > PZ
Observation Explanation
Pressure is the
same when water is
not flowing

PX = PY = PZ
Water flows
most quickly
through Y ,
thus pressure
at Y is the
lowest.
PX > PZ > PY
 Bernoulli’s Principle

►When the speed of a fluid

increases, the pressure of
the fluid decreases and
vice versa.

Please note : This Principle is

applicable to flowing fluid only
Application of Bernoulli’s Principle
► 1. The dynamic lift of an aeroplane.

Air flowing over an aerofoil-shaped wing will result

in a lifting force on the wing.
The body is
streamline
Reduce resistance to
the flow of air

The wing is
aerofoil
Give the best ratio
of lift to drag
► 2. Bunsen Burner

1. Air flows out from the jet X with high velocity.

Hence by Bernoulli’s Principle, its pressure is low.

2. Air of higher pressure from the surrounding rushes

in rapidly into the Bunsen Burner.
 A device for mixing
► 3. Carburetor air with a fine spray
of liquid fuel

1. Air flows through the narrow passage at the top of the

jet with high velocity. Hence by Bernoulli’s Principle, its
pressure is low.

2. The higher atmospheric pressure forces the petrol into the

constriction, mix with air and is sent for burning.
 Can you explain these incidents ?

Compare the speed of air in each region

Compare the pressure in each region
Give a conclusion about the resultant force
 Evaluation
1. Diagram shows a stream
Highest of air flows
through a Bernoulli pressure
tube.
High pressure Low pressure

Highest
water
level

The correct order of the height of water in the

three tubes is
A T1> T2 > T3 C T 3 > T1 > T2
B T >T >T D T >T >T
 Evaluation
2. Diagram shows a
Lowest
stream of air flowing
pressure

through
High pressure a tube . Low pressure

Which of the following graphs

shows the relationship
between the water pressure
and the distance, l ?
 Evaluation
3. Diagram shows an upward lift acting on the
aerofoil when it moves through layers of air
flow.
The upward lift can
be increased by all
of the following
except
A by inverting the aerofoil
B by moving through a denser air flow
C by increasing the velocity of the aerofoil
D by increasing the surface area of the aerofoil
 Evaluation
4. When the whistle is blown, the light sphere will move
from R to Q.
Q
blow
R Light
sphere

The movement of the light sphere R is due to

A Air pushes the light sphere upwards.
B Velocity of air at R is lower than at Q.
C Pressure at R is lower than at Q.
D Density of air at R is greater than at Q
 Home work

►Mastery Practice 3.6 pg 102

►Check Your Progress 3.6

(Exploring pg 195)