Deriving Bernoulli's Equation from a Few Simple Concepts
Among the classes I took as undergraduate was fluid mechanics, and among the most useful equations I learned, or at least to which I was reintroduced, was Bernoulli's equation. This equation is useful for understanding the flow of fluid in pipes, and as way of remembering the equation, I like to use a few concepts I easily remember to help derive the equations. The way I typically start is by thinking of the equation as a kind energy conversation equation. This ultimately leads to a kind of height conservation equation (this will become clearer as we reach our desired equation). To be more clear, all the terms in the equation have a set of units that evaluate to length. Additionally, there are three terms: one term for gravitational potential energy, another for kinetic energy, and one for pressure energy. Finally, each side of the equation will represent the energy (or height) state of the fluid a points A and B, respectively, and will have all three aforementioned terms (See the ...