What describes the operation of a centrifugal pump?

The operation of a centrifugal pump is characterized by the use of a rotating impeller, which increases the velocity of the fluid as it moves through the pump. This process begins when fluid enters the pump through an inlet and is attracted to the rotating impeller. The impeller blades impart kinetic energy to the fluid, causing it to accelerate and gain velocity as it moves toward the pump's discharge outlet.

The key aspect of centrifugal pumps is their ability to convert the kinetic energy generated by the impeller into pressure energy, allowing the fluid to be moved efficiently through piping systems. This mechanism is particularly effective for transferring large volumes of low-viscosity fluids, making centrifugal pumps widely used in various applications across industries.

In contrast, other options describe different types or mechanisms of fluid movement not associated with centrifugal pumps. For instance, the displacement of a fixed amount of fluid with each cycle pertains to positive displacement pumps, while diaphragm pumps operate through a back-and-forth diaphragm motion, not a rotating impeller. The last option is indicative of a screw pump mechanism, which creates a low-pressure zone through the action of a screw, differing fundamentally from the operation of a centrifugal pump.