Question

Water flows through two identical tubes A and B. A volume V₀ of water passes through the tube A and 2 V₀ through B in a given time. Which of the following may be correct?
(a) Flow in both the tubes are steady.
(b) Flow in both the tubes are turbulent.
(c) Flow is steady in A but turbulent in B.
(d) Flow is steady in B but turbulent in A.

Answer 1

(a) Flow in both the tubes are steady.
(b) Flow in both the tubes are turbulent.
(c) Flow is steady in A but turbulent in B.

In a steady flow, the velocity of liquid particles reaching a particular point is the same at all times, but if the liquid is pushed in the tube at a rapid rate, i.e., if the flow rate increases, then the flow may become turbulent. Here, the flow rate is the volume of fluid per unit time per unit area flowing past a point.
Large volume of water passes through tube B compared to tube A. Thus, the flow rate is greater in tube B than in tube A. So, if the flow is turbulent in A, then the flow in B cannot be steady. Therefore, the first three options are possible.