bernoulli's principle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialised technical term)Technical / Academic / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “bernoulli's principle” mean?
A physics principle stating that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or the fluid's potential energy.
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Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physics principle stating that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or the fluid's potential energy.
A fundamental concept in fluid dynamics, often used to explain phenomena like lift in aerodynamics, the operation of atomisers, and the curved path of a spinning ball. Named after the Swiss mathematician Daniel Bernoulli.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The term is identical in both dialects as a proper noun-based scientific term.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no cultural or connotative differences between dialects.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in relevant academic and engineering contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “bernoulli's principle” in a Sentence
X explains Y using Bernoulli's principle.Bernoulli's principle states that [clause].The application of Bernoulli's principle to Z results in...According to Bernoulli's principle,...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bernoulli's principle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We can *bernoulli-ize* the flow equations to simplify them. (Extremely rare, hypothetical academic jargon)
American English
- The engineer suggested *Bernoulli-fying* the analysis. (Extremely rare, hypothetical jargon)
adverb
British English
- The pressure decreased *Bernoulli-like* as the channel narrowed. (Rare, informal technical)
American English
- The air flowed *Bernoulli-wise* over the surface. (Rare, informal technical)
adjective
British English
- The *Bernoullian* approach to fluid dynamics is foundational.
American English
- We observed a *Bernoulli-type* pressure drop in the venturi.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in highly specialised engineering or aerospace firms.
Academic
Core concept in physics, engineering, and fluid dynamics courses and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used; may appear in simplified explanations of flight or in science documentaries.
Technical
Frequently used in aerodynamics, mechanical engineering, hydrodynamics, and HVAC system design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bernoulli's principle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bernoulli's principle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bernoulli's principle”
- Applying it to explain why a ball curves due only to spin (the Magnus effect is a related but distinct combination of Bernoulli and Newtonian mechanics).
- Assuming it is the sole explanation for lift, neglecting Newton's third law and airflow turning.
- Using it to explain situations where fluids are not effectively ideal or flow is not steady.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a significant contributing factor to lift, but modern explanations also emphasise Newton's third law and the downward deflection of airflow. Bernoulli's principle alone provides an incomplete picture.
It applies ideally to incompressible, inviscid (frictionless) fluids in steady flow along a streamline. For gases at high speeds (compressible) or viscous fluids, modifications are needed.
Holding two pieces of paper close together and blowing between them causes them to move together, as the air speed increases and pressure decreases in the gap.
He was an 18th-century Swiss mathematician and physicist whose work 'Hydrodynamica' (1738) laid the foundations for fluid dynamics and introduced this principle.
A physics principle stating that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or the fluid's potential energy.
Bernoulli's principle is usually technical / academic / scientific in register.
Bernoulli's principle: in British English it is pronounced /bɜːˈnuːliz ˈprɪnsəpəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɝˈnuːliz ˈprɪnsəpəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable (highly technical term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Fast flow, low pressure.' As the fluid speeds up (like air over a wing), its sideways pushing pressure drops.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TRADE-OFF or BALANCE: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so if the fluid gains speed (kinetic energy), it must lose pressure energy (potential energy).
Practice
Quiz
Bernoulli's principle is a direct consequence of which fundamental law?