Hydraulic Head and Fluid Potential

Question 1

Define potential energy

Answer 1

Potential energy describes the energy stored in a system.

Question 2

What are the 3 main sources of potential energy in a groundwater system?

Answer 2

i). the gravitational potential energy - determined by the position
ii). the pressure potential
iii). the fluid potential (moisture pressure)

Question 3

What is the hydraulic potential?

Answer 3

The total energy per unit mass. Takes into account pressure potentials from each source.
Is defined by Bernoulli’s equation.

Question 4

What is hydraulic head?

Answer 4

Hydraulic head (h) is the total energy per mass per acceleration = energy per weight.
It is derived from hydraulic potential by dividing through by g.

Question 5

What is the equation for hydraulic head?

Answer 5

head = elevation head + pressure head + dynamic head

Question 6

What is fluid potential?

Answer 6

the mechanical energy per unit mass of fluid.
It is the sum of:
- work required to like the mass to elevation z
- work required to accelerate the fluid to velocity v (negligible)
- work done on the fluid raising the fluid pressure