High School

A natural-gas pipeline with a diameter of 0.250 m delivers 1.55 m³ of gas per second. What is the flow speed of the gas?

Answer :

The flow speed of the gas in a pipeline with a diameter of 0.250 m, given the flow rate of 1.55 m³/s, is approximately 31.57 m/s.

The question involves using the concept of flow rate in a pipe to determine the flow speed of the gas. The flow rate (volume per unit time) is given as 1.55 m³/s, and the diameter of the pipe is 0.250 m.

To calculate the flow speed, we use the formula for the flow rate, which is

Q = vA,

where Q is the flow rate, v is the flow velocity, and A is the cross-sectional area. The area A can be calculated using the formula for the area of a circle,

A = π(d/2)²,

where d is the diameter of the pipe.

First, calculate the cross-sectional area:

A = π(0.250/2)²

= π(0.125)²

≈ 0.0491 m²

Now, use the flow rate and the area to find the flow speed:

v = Q / A

= 1.55 m³/s / 0.0491 m²

≈ 31.57 m/s

Therefore, the flow speed of the gas in the pipeline is approximately 31.57 meters per second.