Water Stream Narrows – Rankers Physics
Topic: Solid and Fluids
Subtopic: Fluid Dynamics

Water Stream Narrows

Assertion (A): The stream of water emerging from a water tap "necks down" as it falls.
Reason (R): The volume flow rate at different levels is same.
 
(1) Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
(2) Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(3) (A) is true but (R) is false
(4) Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

Concept: Continuity equation for fluid flow. For an incompressible fluid in steady flow, the volume flow rate \(AV\) (Area × Velocity) must remain constant. As water falls, its velocity \(V\) increases due to gravity, therefore, its cross-sectional area \(A\) must decrease, causing it to 'neck down'. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

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