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Discharge Of Water Formula:
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The Discharge of Water Formula (Q = A × v) calculates the volumetric flow rate of water through a given cross-sectional area. It is a fundamental equation in fluid mechanics and hydrology used to determine how much water flows through pipes, channels, or rivers per unit time.
The calculator uses the discharge formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula multiplies the cross-sectional area through which water flows by the average velocity of the water to determine the volume of water passing per second.
Details: Flow rate calculation is essential for designing water supply systems, irrigation networks, hydroelectric power plants, and environmental monitoring. It helps in determining the capacity of pipelines, channels, and assessing water resources.
Tips: Enter cross-sectional area in square meters (m²) and flow velocity in meters per second (m/s). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Q1: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Use square meters (m²) for area and meters per second (m/s) for velocity. The result will be in cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Q2: Can this formula be used for any fluid?
A: Yes, the Q = A × v formula applies to any incompressible fluid, though water is the most common application.
Q3: What if the cross-section is not rectangular?
A: For non-rectangular cross-sections, calculate the area using the appropriate geometric formula (circle: πr², triangle: ½bh, etc.).
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation assumes uniform velocity across the cross-section. In reality, velocity varies across the flow profile, so this gives an average flow rate.
Q5: What are typical flow rates in practice?
A: Household water supply: 0.0001-0.001 m³/s, Small streams: 0.1-1 m³/s, Large rivers: 100-1000+ m³/s.