Engineering English
Continuity Equation
Chemical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: The continuity equation expresses the conservation of mass in fluid flow. For incompressible flow, the product of cross-sectional area and velocity remains constant along a streamline.
Example in context
“Using the continuity equation, the engineer determined that reducing the pipe diameter from 8 to 4 inches doubles the fluid velocity.”
“Süreklilik denklemini kullanarak mühendis, boru çapını 8 inçten 4 inçe düşürmenin akışkan hızını iki katına çıkardığını belirledi.”
Where engineers use it
Fundamental to pipe sizing, nozzle design, and flow measurement calculations. Engineers apply the continuity equation to ensure mass balance in process piping systems.
Synonyms: mass conservation equation, conservation of mass
Practice: can you use “Continuity Equation” at work?
A piping system has a reducer. Given inlet diameter and velocity, use the continuity equation to calculate the outlet velocity for proper pump selection.
Show a model answer
“Apply the continuity equation to verify that the flow velocity remains within design limits.”
“Continuity Equation” in 21 languages
| English | Continuity Equation |
|---|---|
| Turkish | süreklilik denklemi |
| French | équation de continuité |
| German | Kontinuitätsgleichung |
| Spanish | ecuación de continuidad |
| Chinese | 连续性方程 |
| Arabic | معادلة الاستمرارية |
| Portuguese | equação da continuidade |
| Russian | уравнение неразрывности |
| Japanese | 連続の式 |
| Italian | equazione di continuità |
| Vietnamese | phương trình liên tục |
| Hindi | सातत्य समीकरण |
| Thai | สมการความต่อเนื่อง |
| Indonesian | persamaan kontinuitas |
| Korean | 연속 방정식 |
| Bengali | ধারাবাহিকতা সমীকরণ |
| Dutch | continuïteitsvergelijking |
| Swedish | kontinuitetsekvationen |
| Finnish | jatkuvuusyhtälö |
| Ukrainian | рівняння нерозривності |
Frequently asked questions
What does Continuity Equation mean in engineering?
The continuity equation expresses the conservation of mass in fluid flow. For incompressible flow, the product of cross-sectional area and velocity remains constant along a streamline. In Chemical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Continuity Equation?
Continuity Equation is pronounced /kənˈtɪnjuɪti ɪˈkweɪʒən/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Continuity Equation used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Using the continuity equation, the engineer determined that reducing the pipe diameter from 8 to 4 inches doubles the fluid velocity.”
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