1. What Is The Flow Rate Formula?

The flow rate formula (Q = A × v) calculates the volumetric flow rate of a fluid, where Q represents the flow rate in cubic meters per second, A is the cross-sectional area through which the fluid flows in square meters, and v is the velocity of the fluid in meters per second.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the flow rate equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)
• \( v \) — Velocity (m/s)

Explanation: This fundamental equation in fluid dynamics describes how much volume of fluid passes through a given cross-section per unit time.

3. Importance Of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate flow rate calculation is essential in various engineering applications including pipe system design, hydraulic engineering, HVAC systems, and industrial process control to ensure proper fluid transport and system efficiency.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the cross-sectional area in square meters and fluid velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for this calculation?
A: Use square meters for area (A) and meters per second for velocity (v) to get flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

Q2: Can this formula be used for any type of fluid?
A: Yes, this formula applies to both liquids and gases, assuming incompressible flow for practical purposes.

Q3: How does pipe diameter affect flow rate?
A: Flow rate increases with the square of the pipe diameter since cross-sectional area is proportional to diameter squared.

Q4: What if the velocity is not constant across the cross-section?
A: For non-uniform velocity profiles, the average velocity across the cross-section should be used in the calculation.

Q5: How is this different from mass flow rate?
A: This calculates volumetric flow rate. Mass flow rate would require multiplying by fluid density (ṁ = ρ × Q).