The Venturi effect is all about how fluid pressure changes when the fluid flows through a constricted area. Imagine a pipe with a wider section in the beginning that narrows down in the middle, and then widens up again at the end. Here's what happens to the fluid as it travels through this pipe:

• Pressure Drop: As the fluid flows through the narrow section, the pressure of the fluid actually decreases. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's all about keeping the overall energy of the fluid constant.

• Speed Up: That decrease in pressure is accompanied by an increase in the fluid's speed. Since the narrow part of the pipe forces the same amount of fluid through in the same amount of time, the fluid has to move faster to get through the constriction.

This phenomenon is named after 18th-century Italian physicist Giovanni Battista Venturi. It's based on the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, which basically says that the total energy of the fluid stays the same throughout its journey through the pipe.

Here are some everyday applications of the Venturi effect:

• Vacuum cleaners: The Venturi effect is what creates the suction in a vacuum cleaner. As the high-speed air moves through the narrow nozzle, it creates a low-pressure area that sucks up dirt and debris.

• Carburetors: In gasoline engines, the Venturi effect helps draw fuel into the carburetor. As air rushes through the carburetor's venturi, it creates a low-pressure zone that pulls gasoline up from the fuel tank and mixes it with air.

• Nebulizers: Medical nebulizers use the Venturi effect to turn liquid medication into a fine mist that can be inhaled by patients.