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Old 31st Jul 2010, 08:41
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Keith.Williams.
 
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A more intuitive way to look at it (which uses slightly less mathematics) is:

Dynamic pressure is the pressure exerted when a moving stream of air is brought to rest by impacting on a surface.

The moving air has Momentum = Mass x Velocity

But how much mass is there?

Let’s consider a single cube of air moving air with forward area = A and length = its velocity initial velocity V.

Mass = density x volume so the mass of our cube = Rho x V x A

If the air is being decelerated at a uniform rate from V to zero by impacting on the surface, then its mean velocity is 1/2V

So its volume is 1/2AV and its mass is ½ Rho A V.

Momentum = Mass x Velocity so the mean momentum = ½ Rho A V x V

Which is ½ Rho A Vsquared.

Dividing this by the Area A, to convert it into a pressure gives ½ Rho Vsquared

There is a flaw in this explanation, but it is good enough for bar room chat!
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