Skip to content

Specific Energy

Hydraulics · FE Reference Handbook section

Hydraulics
20 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Hydraulics lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • where Q and A are as defined above,

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Froude number — solve for Froude number — Specific Energy

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 5.6000 ft/s; flow depth (y) = 4.2000 ft, determine the Froude number (Fr).

Given

  • velocity(V)=5.6000ft/svelocity (V) = 5.6000 ft/s
  • flowdepth(y)=4.2000ftflow depth (y) = 4.2000 ft

Find

Froude number (Fr)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except Fr is given, so isolate Fr symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Fr stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=5.6000ft/s,flowdepth(y)=4.2000ftList the givens: velocity (V) = 5.6000 ft/s, flow depth (y) = 4.2000 ft
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Fr=0.4815Fr = 0.4815
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Fr = 0.4815 to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Fr=0.4815Fr = 0.4815

Why the other options are there

  • 0.9631 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2408 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.5297 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 2
Froude number — solve for velocity — Specific Energy (2)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given flow depth (y) = 1.1000 ft; Froude number (Fr) = 2.7200, determine the velocity (V) in ft/s.

Given

  • flowdepth(y)=1.1000ftflow depth (y) = 1.1000 ft
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=2.7200Froude number (Fr) = 2.7200

Find

velocity (V), in ft/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowdepth(y)=1.1000ft,Froudenumber(Fr)=2.7200List the givens: flow depth (y) = 1.1000 ft, Froude number (Fr) = 2.7200
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=16.1880 ft/sV = 16.1880\ \text{ft/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 16.1880 ft/s to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=16.1880 ft/sV = 16.1880\ \text{ft/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 32.3760 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 8.0940 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 17.8068 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 3
Froude number — solve for flow depth — Specific Energy (3)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 11.4000 ft/s; Froude number (Fr) = 0.5500, determine the flow depth (y) in ft.

Given

  • velocity(V)=11.4000ft/svelocity (V) = 11.4000 ft/s
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=0.5500Froude number (Fr) = 0.5500

Find

flow depth (y), in ft

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=11.4000ft/s,Froudenumber(Fr)=0.5500List the givens: velocity (V) = 11.4000 ft/s, Froude number (Fr) = 0.5500
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=13.3422 fty = 13.3422\ \text{ft}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 13.3422 ft to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=13.3422 fty = 13.3422\ \text{ft}

Why the other options are there

  • 26.6845 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6.6711 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 14.6765 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 4
Froude number — solve for Froude number (case 2) — Specific Energy (4)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 13.9000 ft/s; flow depth (y) = 7.0000 ft, determine the Froude number (Fr).

Given

  • velocity(V)=13.9000ft/svelocity (V) = 13.9000 ft/s
  • flowdepth(y)=7.0000ftflow depth (y) = 7.0000 ft

Find

Froude number (Fr)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except Fr is given, so isolate Fr symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Fr stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=13.9000ft/s,flowdepth(y)=7.0000ftList the givens: velocity (V) = 13.9000 ft/s, flow depth (y) = 7.0000 ft
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Fr=0.9258Fr = 0.9258
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Fr = 0.9258 to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Fr=0.9258Fr = 0.9258

Why the other options are there

  • 1.8517 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.4629 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.0184 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 5
Froude number — solve for velocity (case 2) — Specific Energy (5)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given flow depth (y) = 2.0000 ft; Froude number (Fr) = 2.3500, determine the velocity (V) in ft/s.

Given

  • flowdepth(y)=2.0000ftflow depth (y) = 2.0000 ft
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=2.3500Froude number (Fr) = 2.3500

Find

velocity (V), in ft/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowdepth(y)=2.0000ft,Froudenumber(Fr)=2.3500List the givens: flow depth (y) = 2.0000 ft, Froude number (Fr) = 2.3500
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=18.8587 ft/sV = 18.8587\ \text{ft/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 18.8587 ft/s to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=18.8587 ft/sV = 18.8587\ \text{ft/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 37.7173 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 9.4293 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 20.7445 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 6
Froude number — solve for flow depth (case 2) — Specific Energy (6)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 8.7000 ft/s; Froude number (Fr) = 0.6900, determine the flow depth (y) in ft.

Given

  • velocity(V)=8.7000ft/svelocity (V) = 8.7000 ft/s
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=0.6900Froude number (Fr) = 0.6900

Find

flow depth (y), in ft

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=8.7000ft/s,Froudenumber(Fr)=0.6900List the givens: velocity (V) = 8.7000 ft/s, Froude number (Fr) = 0.6900
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=4.9372 fty = 4.9372\ \text{ft}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 4.9372 ft to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=4.9372 fty = 4.9372\ \text{ft}

Why the other options are there

  • 9.8745 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.4686 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5.4310 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 7
Froude number — solve for Froude number (case 3) — Specific Energy (7)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 2.7000 ft/s; flow depth (y) = 7.1000 ft, determine the Froude number (Fr).

Given

  • velocity(V)=2.7000ft/svelocity (V) = 2.7000 ft/s
  • flowdepth(y)=7.1000ftflow depth (y) = 7.1000 ft

Find

Froude number (Fr)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except Fr is given, so isolate Fr symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Fr stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=2.7000ft/s,flowdepth(y)=7.1000ftList the givens: velocity (V) = 2.7000 ft/s, flow depth (y) = 7.1000 ft
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Fr=0.1786Fr = 0.1786
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Fr = 0.1786 to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Fr=0.1786Fr = 0.1786

Why the other options are there

  • 0.3571 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0893 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.1964 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 8
Froude number — solve for velocity (case 3) — Specific Energy (8)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given flow depth (y) = 5.6000 ft; Froude number (Fr) = 0.4600, determine the velocity (V) in ft/s.

Given

  • flowdepth(y)=5.6000ftflow depth (y) = 5.6000 ft
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=0.4600Froude number (Fr) = 0.4600

Find

velocity (V), in ft/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowdepth(y)=5.6000ft,Froudenumber(Fr)=0.4600List the givens: flow depth (y) = 5.6000 ft, Froude number (Fr) = 0.4600
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=6.1770 ft/sV = 6.1770\ \text{ft/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 6.1770 ft/s to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=6.1770 ft/sV = 6.1770\ \text{ft/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 12.3541 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 3.0885 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 6.7947 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 9
Froude number — solve for flow depth (case 3) — Specific Energy (9)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 3.3000 ft/s; Froude number (Fr) = 0.8900, determine the flow depth (y) in ft.

Given

  • velocity(V)=3.3000ft/svelocity (V) = 3.3000 ft/s
  • Froudenumber(Fr)=0.8900Froude number (Fr) = 0.8900

Find

flow depth (y), in ft

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=3.3000ft/s,Froudenumber(Fr)=0.8900List the givens: velocity (V) = 3.3000 ft/s, Froude number (Fr) = 0.8900
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=0.4270 fty = 0.4270\ \text{ft}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 0.4270 ft to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=0.4270 fty = 0.4270\ \text{ft}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.8539 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2135 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.4697 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

Example 10
Froude number — solve for Froude number (case 4) — Specific Energy (10)

A hydraulics problem uses Froude number. Given velocity (V) = 6.3000 ft/s; flow depth (y) = 3.2000 ft, determine the Froude number (Fr).

Given

  • velocity(V)=6.3000ft/svelocity (V) = 6.3000 ft/s
  • flowdepth(y)=3.2000ftflow depth (y) = 3.2000 ft

Find

Froude number (Fr)

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Froude number.
  • Everything except Fr is given, so isolate Fr symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Hydraulics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Fr stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:velocity(V)=6.3000ft/s,flowdepth(y)=3.2000ftList the givens: velocity (V) = 6.3000 ft/s, flow depth (y) = 3.2000 ft
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Fr=0.6206Fr = 0.6206
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Fr = 0.6206 to

    Fr=V/gyF_r = V / \sqrt{g y}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Fr=0.6206Fr = 0.6206

Why the other options are there

  • 1.2413 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.3103 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.6827 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Hydraulics → Specific Energy

© 2026 Dr. Steve Efe. Civil Engineering Capstone Studio. All rights reserved.