equation of continuity

equation of continuity

[i′kwā·zhən əv ‚känt·ən′ü·əd·ē] (physics) continuity equation

equation of continuity

equation of continuityThe equation of continuity states that (a) air mass flow is constant, as mass can neither be created nor destroyed, and (b) the product of a cross-sectional area (A), velocity (V), and density (ρ) is constant (K), or AVρ = K. It assumes that because pressure changes are small, they have little effect on density and, therefore, AV= K or V= K/A. Hence, a reduced cross section gives a greater velocity.