1. What is Flow Rate?

Flow rate (Q) is the volume of fluid that passes through a given surface per unit time. It's a fundamental concept in fluid dynamics and is used in various engineering and scientific applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic flow rate equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( V \) — Volume of fluid (m³)
• \( t \) — Time period (s)

Explanation: The equation shows that flow rate is directly proportional to volume and inversely proportional to time.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Flow rate calculations are essential in designing piping systems, water supply networks, chemical processing, and many industrial applications where fluid movement is involved.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter volume in cubic meters (m³) and time in seconds (s). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are common units for flow rate?
A: While we use m³/s here, other common units include liters per second (L/s), gallons per minute (GPM), and cubic feet per second (cfs).

Q2: How does flow rate relate to velocity?
A: Flow rate equals cross-sectional area times velocity (Q = A × v). For a given flow rate, velocity increases as pipe diameter decreases.

Q3: What's the difference between mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate?
A: Volumetric flow rate (Q) measures volume per time, while mass flow rate (ṁ) measures mass per time (ṁ = ρQ, where ρ is fluid density).

Q4: When is flow rate constant in a pipe?
A: For incompressible fluids in steady flow with no accumulation, flow rate remains constant throughout the pipe (continuity equation).

Q5: How does flow rate affect pressure?
A: According to Bernoulli's principle, as flow rate increases in a pipe, pressure typically decreases due to increased velocity head and friction losses.