# Continuity Equation

Written by Jerry Ratzlaff on . Posted in Fluid Dynamics

Continuity equation is the moving of a quantity through a pipe in a steady flow.

## Formulas that use Continuity Equation for Area

This formula calculates the initial cross-section area of the pipe.

 $$\large{ A_1 = \frac{ \rho_2 \; A_2 \; v_2 }{ v_1 \; \rho_1 } }$$

### Where:

$$\large{ A_1 }$$ = initial area cross-section

$$\large{ A_2 }$$ = final area cross-section

$$\large{ \rho_2 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  final cross-section density

$$\large{ \rho_1 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  initial cross-section density

$$\large{ v_2 }$$ = final cross-section velocity

$$\large{ v_1 }$$ = initial cross-section velocity

## Formulas that use Continuity Equation for Density

This formula calculates the initial density of the fluid.

 $$\large{ \rho_1 = \frac{ \rho_2 \; A_2 \; v_2 }{ A_1 \; v_1 } }$$

### Where:

$$\large{ \rho_1 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  initial cross-section density

$$\large{ A_2 }$$ = final area cross-section

$$\large{ A_1 }$$ = initial area cross-section

$$\large{ \rho_2 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  final cross-section density

$$\large{ v_2 }$$ = final cross-section velocity

$$\large{ v_1 }$$ = initial cross-section velocity

## Formulas that use Continuity Equation for Mass

This formula states that the mass entering a system is equal to the mass leaves the system both at the same rate.

 $$\large{ A_1 \; v_1 = A_2 \; v_2 }$$

### Where:

$$\large{ A_2 }$$ = final area cross-section

$$\large{ A_1 }$$ = initial area cross-section

### $$\large{ v_2 }$$ = final cross-section velocity

$$\large{ v_1 }$$ = initial cross-section velocity

## Formulas that use Continuity Equation for Velocity

This formula calculates the initial velocity in a pipe.

 $$\large{ v_1 = \frac{ \rho_2 \; A_2 \; v_2 }{ A_1 \; \rho_1 } }$$

### Where:

$$\large{ v_1 }$$ = initial cross-section velocity

$$\large{ A_2 }$$ = final area cross-section

$$\large{ A_1 }$$ = initial area cross-section

$$\large{ \rho_2 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  final cross-section density

$$\large{ \rho_1 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  initial cross-section density

$$\large{ \rho_1 }$$  (Greek symbol rho) =  initial cross-section density

$$\large{ v_2 }$$ = final cross-section velocity