According to fluid dynamics, pressure drops in the throat of a venturi are explained by which principle?

The pressure drop in the throat of a venturi is accurately explained by Bernoulli's law, which describes the behavior of fluid flow. According to Bernoulli's principle, in an ideal fluid with no viscosity, an increase in the fluid's velocity occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure.

In the context of a venturi, as the fluid passes through the narrowing section known as the throat, it must increase its speed due to the conservation of mass (continuity equation). This increase in velocity results in a corresponding decrease in pressure within that area. Bernoulli's law illustrates that the total energy of the fluid remains constant through various points in the system, signifying that as kinetic energy increases, the potential energy in the form of pressure energy decreases.

This interaction is foundational in understanding various applications in fluid dynamics, such as in venturi meters used for measuring flow rates. Understanding Bernoulli's law is crucial in predicting and analyzing pressures and velocities in different regions of fluid flow, particularly where the cross-sectional area changes, like in a venturi.