---
title: "Bernoulli's theorem"
sort_title: "Bernoulli's theorem"
date: 2021-04-02
categories:
- Physics
- Fluid mechanics
- Fluid dynamics
layout: "concept"
---

For inviscid fluids, **Bernuilli's theorem** states
that an increase in flow velocity $$\va{v}$$ is paired
with a decrease in pressure $$p$$ and/or potential energy.
For a qualitative argument, look no further than
one of the [Euler equations](/know/concept/euler-equations/),
with a [material derivative](/know/concept/material-derivative/):

$$\begin{aligned}
    \frac{\mathrm{D} \va{v}}{\mathrm{D} t}
    = \pdv{\va{v}}{t} + (\va{v} \cdot \nabla) \va{v}
    = \va{g} - \frac{\nabla p}{\rho}
\end{aligned}$$

Assuming that $$\va{v}$$ is constant in $$t$$,
it becomes clear that a higher $$\va{v}$$ requires a lower $$p$$.


## Simple form

For an incompressible fluid
with a time-independent velocity field $$\va{v}$$ (i.e. **steady flow**),
Bernoulli's theorem formally states that the
**Bernoulli head** $$H$$ is constant along a streamline:

$$\begin{aligned}
    \boxed{
        H
        = \frac{1}{2} \va{v}^2 + \Phi + \frac{p}{\rho}
    }
\end{aligned}$$

Where $$\Phi$$ is the gravitational potential, such that $$\va{g} = - \nabla \Phi$$.
To prove this theorem, we take the material derivative of $$H$$:

$$\begin{aligned}
    \frac{\mathrm{D} H}{\mathrm{D} t}
    &= \va{v} \cdot \frac{\mathrm{D} \va{v}}{\mathrm{D} t}
    + \frac{\mathrm{D} \Phi}{\mathrm{D} t}
    + \frac{1}{\rho} \frac{\mathrm{D} p}{\mathrm{D} t}
\end{aligned}$$

In the first term we insert the Euler equation,
and in the other two we expand the derivatives:

$$\begin{aligned}
    \frac{\mathrm{D} H}{\mathrm{D} t}
    &= \va{v} \cdot \Big( \va{g} - \frac{\nabla p}{\rho} \Big)
    + \Big( \pdv{\Phi}{t} + (\va{v} \cdot \nabla) \Phi \Big)
    + \frac{1}{\rho} \Big( \pdv{p}{t} + (\va{v} \cdot \nabla) p \Big)
    \\
    &= \pdv{\Phi}{t} + \frac{1}{\rho} \pdv{p}{t}
    + \va{v} \cdot \big( \va{g} + \nabla \Phi \big) + \va{v} \cdot \Big( \frac{\nabla p}{\rho} - \frac{\nabla p}{\rho} \Big)
\end{aligned}$$

Using the fact that $$\va{g} = - \nabla \Phi$$,
we are left with the following equation:

$$\begin{aligned}
    \frac{\mathrm{D} H}{\mathrm{D} t}
    &= \pdv{\Phi}{t} + \frac{1}{\rho} \pdv{p}{t}
\end{aligned}$$

Assuming that the flow is steady, both derivatives vanish,
leading us to the conclusion that $$H$$ is conserved along the streamline.

In fact, there exists **Bernoulli's stronger theorem**,
which states that $$H$$ is constant *everywhere* in regions with
zero [vorticity](/know/concept/vorticity/) $$\va{\omega} = 0$$.
For a proof, see the derivation of $$\va{\omega}$$'s equation of motion.


## References
1.  B. Lautrup,
    *Physics of continuous matter: exotic and everyday phenomena in the macroscopic world*, 2nd edition,
    CRC Press.