A major artery with a 1.3 cm^2 cross-sectional area branches into 18 smaller arteries, each with an average cross-sectional area of 0.6 cm^2. By what factor is the average velocity of the blood reduced when it passes into these branches?

When the blood passes into the smaller branches, its average velocity reduces by a factor of 0.12

Explanation:

Given;

initial area of the artery, A₁ = 1.3 cm²

Area of each smaller 18 arteries, a₂ = 0.6 cm²

Total area of the smaller 18 arteries, A₂ = 18 x 0.6 cm²

Apply flow rate equation;

Q = AV

where;

Q is the flow rate of the blood

V is the average velocity of the blood

If the flow rate is constant, then;

A₁V₁ = A₂V₂

When the blood passes into the smaller branches, its average velocity reduces by a factor of 0.12