equation of continuity

equation of continuity

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

equation of continuity

The 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.