EngiRef / Fluids Engineering Formula

Continuity Equation

Continuity Equation: Conservation of mass in fluid flow. A Fluid Dynamics formula in fluids engineering. Variables A₁, v₁, A₂ and v₂, each with SI and imperial…

Fluid Dynamics

Specification

Name
Continuity Equation
Discipline
fluids
Category
Fluid Dynamics
LaTeX
A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2
Description
Conservation of mass in fluid flow
Conditions
Incompressible, steady flow
Can solve for
A₁, v₁, A₂, v₂
Tags
continuity, mass, conservation, flow

Variables

Variables for Continuity Equation
SymbolNameUnitSi UnitImperial Unit
A₁Area 1ft²
v₁Velocity 1m/sm/sft/s
A₂Area 2ft²
v₂Velocity 2m/sm/sft/s

Common questions

What is the Continuity Equation formula?
Conservation of mass in fluid flow. It sits under Fluid Dynamics, Fluids engineering in the EngiRef reference.
What do the symbols in the Continuity Equation formula mean?
In Continuity Equation, A₁ is area 1 in m²; v₁ is velocity 1 in m/s; A₂ is area 2 in m²; v₂ is velocity 2 in m/s.
When does the Continuity Equation formula apply?
Continuity Equation holds under this condition: Incompressible, steady flow.