What happens to the pressure exerted by a fluid when it moves through a constriction?

When a fluid moves through a constriction, its pressure decreases. This phenomenon can be understood through Bernoulli's principle, which states that in a flowing fluid, an increase in the fluid’s velocity occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or potential energy.

In a constricted area, the cross-sectional area of the flow decreases, which causes the velocity of the fluid to increase as it passes through. According to Bernoulli's equation, as the velocity of the fluid increases, the pressure exerted by the fluid decreases. Therefore, it is the decrease in pressure that is characteristic of such scenarios and is a fundamental concept in fluid dynamics.

This decrease in pressure is critical in understanding various applications, such as how aircraft wings generate lift and how fluid flow is managed in piping systems. It underlines the relationship between speed and pressure within a flowing fluid, particularly in regions of varying cross-sectional area.