What happens to a liquid passing through a restrictive orifice?

When a liquid passes through a restrictive orifice, the principles of fluid dynamics come into play, particularly Bernoulli's principle. As the liquid enters a narrower passage (the orifice), it experiences a reduction in cross-sectional area. According to the continuity equation, when the area decreases, the velocity of the fluid must increase to maintain a constant flow rate.

At the same time, Bernoulli's principle states that within a flowing fluid, an increase in velocity occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. This relationship is critical in understanding how fluids behave in restrictive pathways. The kinetic energy of the fluid increases as it speeds up, while the potential energy (related to pressure) decreases due to the conservation of energy in the system.

Thus, as the liquid accelerates through the orifice, velocity increases and the pressure decreases, which is why the choice indicating this correct interaction is the right answer. This phenomenon is encountered in various applications in fluid systems, such as in nozzles, venturis, and other flow control devices.