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Biophysics & Medical Physics FAQ

Poiseuille's law gives blood flow Q through a vessel as:

Q ∝ r⁴/L. Poiseuille: Q = πr⁴ΔP/(8ηL) — flow scales as the fourth power of radius (halving radius reduces flow 16-fold).

Short Answer

Q ∝ r⁴/L is the best answer.

Biophysics questions work best when you translate anatomy or instrumentation back into plain physics: pressure gradients, flow, diffusion, energy deposition, imaging contrast, and signal-to-noise.

Poiseuille: Q = πr⁴ΔP/(8ηL) — flow scales as the fourth power of radius (halving radius reduces flow 16-fold).

Why This Answer Is Correct

This is a Easy-level question in Biophysics & Medical Physics. The prompt is really testing whether you can connect the concept to its defining physical relationship instead of picking a nearby-but-wrong term.

Clinical wording can hide a simple physics core. Strip the scenario down to transport, force, energy, or measurement first.

Choices At A Glance

  • A. Q ∝ r²
  • B. Q ∝ r⁴/L
  • C. Q ∝ 1/r
  • D. Q ∝ L/r

When similar options appear on an exam, eliminate the ones that break the core law, use the wrong units, or confuse a definition with a consequence.

Topic Snapshot

Topic: Biophysics & Medical Physics

Difficulty: Easy

Best next move: Re-state the governing law in your own words, then solve one more example from the same topic before moving on.