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continuity principle
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continuity principle

physics
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Also known as: continuity equation
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continuity equation
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fluid flow

continuity principle, Principle of fluid mechanics. Stated simply, what flows into a defined volume in a defined time, minus what flows out of that volume in that time, must accumulate in that volume. If the sign of the accumulation is negative, then the material in that volume is being depleted. The principle is a consequence of the law of conservation of mass. The behaviour of fluids in motion is fully described by this equation, plus a second equation, based on the second of Newton’s laws of motion, and a third equation, based on the conservation of energy.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.