Final answer:
The water pressure at sections 2 and 3 is both 20 psig.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to calculate the water pressure at sections 2 and 3, we need to apply the principle of conservation of mass and Bernoulli's equation. At section 1, the water velocity is given as 12 ft/s and the pressure is 20 psig. Since the fitting splits the inlet flow into two equal parts, each part will have a velocity of 12 ft/s and the same area as the inlet.
Using the conservation of mass, we can calculate the area at section 2 and 3. Let's assume the area at section 1 is A1, and the areas at sections 2 and 3 are A2 and A3, respectively. Since the flow is split equally, A2 = A3 = A1/2.
Now, using Bernoulli's equation that states that the sum of the pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy per unit volume is constant along a streamline, we can set up equations for sections 1, 2, and 3. At section 1, the equation can be written as:
20 psig + (1/2) * (12 ft/s)^2 + 0 = P2 + (1/2) * (12 ft/s)^2 + 0
Since the fitting is in a horizontal plane, the height terms cancel out. Rearranging the equation, we get:
P2 = 20 psig
Similarly, at section 3, the equation can be written as:
20 psig + (1/2) * (12 ft/s)^2 + 0 = P3 + (1/2) * (12 ft/s)^2 + 0
Rearranging the equation, we get:
P3 = 20 psig