Pipe (material) facts for kids
A pipe is a hollow, round tube that helps move liquids, gases, or even small solid materials from one place to another. Think of it like a pathway for fluids! While the words 'pipe' and 'tube' are often used for similar things, there's a small difference.
A 'pipe' is usually measured by its inside opening, which is called the internal diameter. This is important for knowing how much liquid or gas can flow through it. 'Tubes' are usually measured by their outside size and are often made for very specific jobs.
Unlike a 'hose', which is usually soft, bendy, and easy to move, pipes and tubes are generally stiff and meant to stay in one place for a long time.
Contents
What Are Pipes Used For?
Pipes are super important in our daily lives and in many big projects. They help us in ways you might not even notice!
Moving Water and Gas
- Bringing Water Home: Pipes carry clean water to our houses for drinking, washing, and bathing. They also take away dirty water.
- Gas Pipelines: Huge pipelines, made of strong pipes, move natural gas and oil across long distances, sometimes even across countries. These pipes handle very high pressure.
Building and Construction
- Strong Structures: Pipes are used to build strong frames, like the scaffolding you see around buildings under construction. They also form parts of bridges and other structures.
- Foundation Support: In big buildings, pipes can be used as strong casings for concrete pillars that go deep into the ground to support the structure.
In Machines and Factories
- Factory Equipment: Pipes are essential in factories, especially where things are made using very hot or high-pressure processes.
- Oil Industry: In the oil and gas industry, pipes are used deep underground in oil wells and in refineries where crude oil is turned into useful products like gasoline.
- Machine Parts: You can find pipes in many machines. For example, they are used as rollers in conveyor belts that move items along, or in heavy machines like steamrollers.
Images for kids
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Copper pipe fittings
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Pipe installation on a street in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Historic water mains from Philadelphia included wooden pipes
