The GATE Grind

GATE 2026 CE (CE1) – Question 41

Fluid Mechanics · Potential flow, laminar and turbulent flow · 2 marks · Multiple choice

In a laminar flow of a Newtonian fluid through a circular pipe of radius 5 cm, the maximum velocity is found to be 2 m/s. The velocity (in m/s) at a radial distance of 2.50 cm from the axis of the pipe is

  1. 1.00
  2. 1.25
  3. 1.50
  4. 1.75

Practise this question in The GATE Grind →

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (C) 1.50

Explanation

For laminar flow in a circular pipe the velocity is $u = u_{max}\left[1 - \left(\frac{r}{R}\right)^2\right]$. At $r = 2.5$ cm and $R = 5$ cm this is $2 \times (1 - 0.25) = 1.50$ m/s.