What Flows Faster: Ketchup or Cough Medicine?

Which of the following would flow faster?

A) Pouring ketchup out of a bottle (no squeezing)

B) Pouring water from a thin tube

C) Pumping cough medicine out of a syringe

Answer:

C) Pumping cough medicine out of a syringe

Let's dive into why pumping cough medicine out of a syringe would flow faster than the other options. When you pump the cough medicine out of a syringe, you are applying pressure directly to the liquid inside. This pressure forces the liquid out at a faster rate compared to just pouring it out of a bottle without any external force.

In the case of pouring ketchup out of a bottle without squeezing, the flow rate would depend on the viscosity of the ketchup and the size of the bottle opening. Thicker liquids like ketchup tend to flow slower than thinner liquids like water, especially if the bottle opening is small.

Pouring water from a thin tube would also flow faster compared to pouring ketchup from a bottle, as the thin tube allows for a more concentrated stream of water which can flow smoothly and quickly.

Therefore, pumping cough medicine out of a syringe would indeed flow faster due to the direct pressure applied to the liquid. Next time you need to dispense cough medicine quickly, reach for the syringe!