I neglecting friction losses, how does a 6-inch diameter water line compare to two 4-inch lines in terms of water transport?

The statement correctly identifies that a single 6-inch diameter water line can transport more water compared to two 4-inch lines when neglecting friction losses. This is based on the concept of cross-sectional area, which is crucial when determining the flow capacity of pipes.

The flow capacity of a pipe is directly related to its diameter; specifically, the cross-sectional area is what determines how much water can flow through it. The formula for the area of a circle is A = π(d/2)², where d is the diameter.

For the 6-inch line, the cross-sectional area can be calculated as follows:

• Area of 6-inch line: A = π(6/2)² = π(3)² = 9π square inches.

For the two 4-inch lines combined:

• Area of one 4-inch line: A = π(4/2)² = π(2)² = 4π square inches.
• Total area for two 4-inch lines: 2 * 4π = 8π square inches.

Now comparing the two:

• Area of the 6-inch line (9π) is greater than the total area of the two 4-inch lines (8π).