Bernoulli's principle / ref frames

In summary, the movement of a car causes a difference in pressure between the air inside and outside of the car. This difference in pressure causes a volume of air to accelerate from a higher pressure zone to a lower pressure zone, resulting in an increase in speed and decrease in pressure. This is due to the Bernoulli principle, which approximates the relationship between speed, pressure, and expansion of air molecules. This is also related to the molecular level, where the pressure is a result of the rate of collisions and impulses of air molecules, and as the volume of air accelerates, the collisions become more directed and the pressure decreases.
  • #1
Kricket
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Situation: a car moving quickly down the road with a window open.

Car reference frame: the air outside is moving, thus has lower pressure, thus the air inside the car will be sucked out the window.

World reference frame: the air in the car is moving, thus has lower pressure, thus the ambient air will be sucked into the car.

So, question: if you're in the car, and thus you experience that the outside air has lower pressure, why is the outside air being sucked into the car (due to the outside air's "higher pressure" with respect to the car's air)?
 
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  • #2
Bernoulli is not about the speed of the air relative to some frame of reference. Instead it's a close approximation of how air responds to pressure differentials when no work is done and total mechanical energy is constant. A volume of air will accelerate from a higher pressure zone towards a lower pressure zone. During this transition. it's speed increases and it's pressure decreases, and it expands a small amount. Bernoulli equation approximates the relationship between speed, pressure, and expansion of that volume of air (ignoring factors like turbulence). A simplified version of Bernoulli ignores the expansion term of the equation.

At the molecular level, the pressure is the result of the rate of collisions and the impulses due to the average difference in velocities of those collisions. Assuming that the total mechanical energy is constant, then the average velocity of the affected air molecules is constant, but as that volume of air accelerates from a higher pressure zone to a lower pressure zone, the velocities of the affected molecules becomes a bit less random and a bit more directed (towards the lower pressure zone), reducing the rate of collisions and/or the average impulses due to reduced differences in average velocities of those collisions, reducing the static pressure as the net speed of the affected air increases.
 
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Related to Bernoulli's principle / ref frames

1. What is Bernoulli's principle?

Bernoulli's principle is a physical law that states that as the speed of a fluid (such as air or water) increases, its pressure decreases. This principle is based on the conservation of energy and is commonly observed in applications like airplane wings and water faucets.

2. How does Bernoulli's principle apply to airplanes?

In airplanes, Bernoulli's principle is demonstrated by the shape of the wings. The curved shape of the wing causes air to move faster over the top of the wing compared to the bottom, resulting in lower pressure on the top and higher pressure on the bottom. This pressure difference creates lift, allowing the airplane to stay in the air.

3. How does the frame of reference affect Bernoulli's principle?

Bernoulli's principle is independent of the frame of reference. This means that the principle holds true regardless of the observer's perspective or reference point. However, the measurements of pressure and velocity may vary depending on the chosen frame of reference.

4. Can Bernoulli's principle be violated?

No, Bernoulli's principle is a fundamental law of physics and cannot be violated. However, there are certain conditions where the principle may not be applicable, such as when the fluid is compressible or the flow is turbulent.

5. What are some real-life examples of Bernoulli's principle?

Bernoulli's principle can be observed in many everyday situations, such as blowing air over a sheet of paper to keep it aloft, the lift created by a fan, or the flow of air through a car's carburetor. It also plays a crucial role in the design of airplanes, pipes, and other fluid-based systems.

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