Fluid Velocity Measurement Using a Pitot Tube (Pitot Static Tube)

Pitot tubes (also called pitot static tubes) are used to measure fluid velocity at a point in a fluid. They are commonly used to measure air velocity, but can be use to measure the velocity of other fluids as well. The pitot tube is used to measure the difference between stagnation pressure and static pressure at a point in the fluid. This difference, called the dynamic pressure, can be used to calculate the fluid velocity at the point of measurement. The fluid density is also needed in order to determine fluid velocity. For a gas such as air at known temperature and pressure, the density can be calculated using the ideal gas law.