Physics: Torricelli's theorem

Physics: Torricelli's theorem
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Torricelli's theorem Torricelli's law, also known as Torricelli's theorem, is a theorem in fluid dynamics relating the speed of fluid flowing from a hole to the height of fluid above the hole.

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Commentary

Torricelli's theorem Torricelli's law, also known as Torricelli's theorem, is a theorem in fluid dynamics relating the speed of fluid flowing from a hole to the height of fluid above the hole.

Commentary

Why does Torricelli's theorem matter? This principle is one of the building bl ocks physicists use to explain the world. Without it, a whole class of phenomena would have no mathematical description. Engineers, chemists, and astronomers all rely on it. v = 2 g h {\displaystyle v={\sqrt {2gh}}}

Commentary

Background: Torricelli's theorem Torricelli's law, also known as Torricelli's theorem, is a theorem in fluid dynamics relating the speed of fluid flowing from a hole to the height of fluid above the hole. The law states that the speed v {\displaystyle v} of efflux of a flu id through a sharp-edged hole in the wall of the tank filled to a height h {\displaystyle h} above the hole is the same as the speed that a body would acquire in falling freely from a height h {\displaystyle h} , v = 2 g h {\displaystyle v={\sqrt {2gh}}} where g {\displaystyle g} is the acceleration due to gravity. This expression comes from equating the kinetic energy gained, 1 2 m v 2 {\displaystyle {\tfrac {1}{2}}mv^{2}} , with the potential energy lost, m g h {\displaystyle mgh} , and solving for v . {\displaystyle v.} The law was discovered (though not in this form) by the Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli, in 1643. It was later shown to be a particular case of Bernoulli's principle.