Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Discuss - Page 281: 105

Answer

Both viewpoints can be supported.

Work Step by Step

Bernoulli’s principle says a making a fluid move faster ("cause") will reduce the pressure ("effect"). Experiments such as the ones discussed on pages 274-275 support this viewpoint. However, one might argue that a reduced pressure in a fluid ("cause") will speed up the fluid nearby ("effect"). For example, run a vacuum pump to push gas atoms from a chamber, decreasing the air pressure inside ("cause"). Nearby air will push into the region of reduced pressure, speeding up as it does so ("effect") because the average forces on the molecules point toward the vacuum. Some might argue that cause and effect are open to interpretation in this case, though the first viewpoint is arguably stronger. Bernoulli's principle is discussed on pages 273-275.
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