Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

All other things being equal, which diameter of pipe or combination of pipes will carry the most water?

1. five 1/2" pipes

2. one 2" pipe

3. three 1" pipes

4. four 3/4" pipes

The correct answer is: one 2" pipe

The most effective option for carrying water is one 2" pipe. The diameter of the pipe directly influences the volume of water it can carry. A larger diameter allows for greater flow capacity due to reduced friction loss and increased cross-sectional area, enabling more water to flow through without being constrained by the size of the pipe. When comparing the other choices, five 1/2" pipes, three 1" pipes, and four 3/4" pipes all have smaller diameters than the 2" pipe. While multiple smaller pipes can cumulatively carry a significant amount of water, they often do not match the efficiency and capacity of a single larger pipe. Larger pipes also benefit from improved flow dynamics because the water has more space to move and less resistance, making them preferable in scenarios where maximum water transport is needed. Thus, the 2" diameter pipe stands out as the best option for maximum water transportation efficiency.