What event occurs in a pump when a liquid vaporizes in a closed system?

Cavitation occurs in a pump when the pressure of the liquid drops below its vapor pressure, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles within the liquid. When these vapor bubbles form, they can collapse violently as they move to areas of higher pressure, which can cause significant damage to the pump components over time.

In a closed system, if the liquid pressure decreases sufficiently, the liquid may reach a point where it cannot remain in the liquid state, resulting in vaporizing. This pressure drop is often caused by factors such as high flow velocities, changes in elevation within the system, or obstructions that restrict the flow. As the pressure drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid, bubbles form and cavitation ensues.

Understanding the conditions that lead to cavitation is crucial for maintaining pump performance and lifespan, as cavitation can lead to pitting and erosion of the pump impeller and casing. Hence, recognizing that cavitation is triggered by decreased liquid pressure is an important concept in plumbing and mechanical systems.