Final answer:
The Intermediate Pressure Hose in a fire hose system carries water at high pressure, with pressure changing due to elevation and hose diameter. As pressure decreases nearing the nozzle, the velocity and kinetic energy of the water increases allowing it to exert substantial force. Upon exiting, the water pressure equals atmospheric pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Intermediate Pressure Hose in a fire hose system is designed to carry water at high pressure from the source to the nozzle. This pressure hose is a crucial component in firefighting operations. According to the principles of fluid dynamics, as water flows through a hose, the pressure is dependent on the force applied and the area of the hose. When water travels uphill or through a hose with a varying diameter, we see changes in pressure. The scenario described indicates that firefighters use hoses with an initial high gauge pressure, which then travels uphill and to a reduced diameter nozzle, resulting in an increased velocity of the water flow.
As the water ascends and reaches the nozzle, the pressure decreases due to the elevation and the kinetic energy of the speeding water. However, even with reduced pressure, the kinetic energy allows the water to exert a significant force. Ultimately, when the water exits the nozzle, its pressure becomes equal to atmospheric pressure, following the continuous flow conditions through a nozzle with a smaller diameter compared to the hose itself.