I have seen fountains of water coming out of the leaking joints or holes in pipes supplying water. Is it not due to the pressure exerted by water 💦 on the walls of the pipes ?

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Answer

Water fountains from leaks in pipes are indeed a fascinating example of fluid dynamics in action. Let's break down the reasons behind this phenomenon.
Understanding Water Pressure
Water pressure is the force exerted by water within the pipes. This pressure can vary based on several factors:

Source Pressure: Water is typically supplied under high pressure from treatment plants.
Gravity: In elevated systems, gravity can increase pressure as water flows downhill.
Pipe Size: Smaller pipes can lead to higher pressure due to restricted flow.

How Leaks Occur
When there are leaks in the joints or holes in the pipes, the high pressure inside can force water out. Here’s how:

Weak Joints: Over time, joints may weaken due to wear and tear, allowing water to escape.
Corrosion: Metal pipes can corrode, leading to holes and leaks.
Physical Damage: External factors like ground movement can cause pipes to crack.

Fountain Effect
When water escapes from a leak, it can create a 'fountain' effect due to the following:

High Pressure Release: The high internal pressure forces water out rapidly, creating a spray.
Velocity: Water exits the opening at high speed, which enhances the fountain-like appearance.
Bernoulli's Principle: This principle states that as the speed of fluid increases, pressure decreases, allowing for further upward motion.

In conclusion, the water fountains you see from leaking pipes are primarily caused by the high pressure in the system, which forces water out through any available openings. Understanding this helps in both maintenance and repairs of plumbing systems.

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