1. What is the Rate of Flow Formula?

Definition: This calculator computes the volumetric flow rate of a fluid based on its velocity and the cross-sectional area of the pipe or channel.

Purpose: It helps students and engineers understand and calculate fluid flow rates, a fundamental concept in GCSE Physics and fluid dynamics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
• \( V \) — Flow velocity (m/s)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)

Explanation: The flow rate equals the product of the fluid's velocity and the cross-sectional area of the pipe or channel.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Understanding flow rates is essential for designing plumbing systems, calculating river discharge, and analyzing blood flow in medical applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the fluid velocity in meters per second and the cross-sectional area in square meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for this calculation?
A: The calculator uses SI units: meters per second (m/s) for velocity and square meters (m²) for area, resulting in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

Q2: Does this formula work for all fluids?
A: Yes, the basic formula works for any incompressible fluid (liquids). For gases, additional factors may need to be considered.

Q3: How do I measure the cross-sectional area?
A: For circular pipes, use \( A = \pi r^2 \). For rectangular channels, use width × height.

Q4: What if the velocity isn't uniform?
A: The formula assumes uniform velocity. For non-uniform flow, you would need to integrate across the area.

Q5: Is this the same as mass flow rate?
A: No, this calculates volumetric flow. For mass flow rate, multiply by the fluid's density (\( \dot{m} = Q \times \rho \)).