A pipe of I.D. 4 m is bifurcated into two pipes of I.D. 2 m each. If the average velocity of water flowing through the main pipe is 5 m/sec, the average velocity through the bifurcated pipes is__________________?

Question

Accepted Answer

10 m/sec. By continuity equation, the total flow rate must be conserved. The initial flow rate is $A_1 v_1$. This equals the sum of final flow rates: $(A_2 + A_3) v_{final}$. Since $A_2 = A_3$, $v_{final} = v_1 / 2$.