Water gushing out the barrel: Which barrel has the correct hole placement?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the placement of holes in two barrels and which configuration allows for greater water flow. Participants explore concepts of pressure energy, potential energy, and fluid dynamics, referencing theoretical principles and formulas. The scope includes technical reasoning and exploratory analysis of fluid behavior in relation to hole placement.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that both holes have the same energy but argues that the bottom hole should be correct due to its lower potential energy and higher pressure energy.
  • Another participant asserts that the lower barrel is correct, emphasizing the importance of horizontal velocity and pressure head.
  • A different viewpoint highlights that the bottom hole has a greater pressure differential, leading to a higher flow rate and fluid velocity.
  • One participant questions the validity of the first barrel by noting the shape of the holes and suggests that the formula used may not account for the intersectional area of the holes.
  • Another participant reiterates that the velocity increases as you move down the barrel due to hydrostatic pressure, referencing Torricelli's theorem.
  • One participant emphasizes that the total pressure at the outlet includes the pressure head of the fluid above the nozzle, leading to greater exit velocity for the lower hole.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the lower barrel is likely the correct configuration for optimal water flow, but there are differing opinions on the reasoning and the application of formulas. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved as participants explore various aspects of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty regarding the formulas used, particularly in relation to the intersectional area of the holes and how it affects flow rates. There is also a lack of consensus on the implications of pressure and potential energy in determining the correct hole placement.

katchum
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[SOLVED] Water gushing out the barrel

Here is the problem:

We have two barrels with holes in it, only one of the following figures is the right one. Which one?

http://two.xthost.info/katchum9/Test.JPG


I think the following:

We know that both holes have the same energy namely:

rho.g.H (pressure energy) and m.g.h (potential energy)

Now for the upper hole the potential energy of the fluid is higher and the pressure energy lower.

For the lower hole the potential energy is half of the potential energy of the upper hole and the pressure energy is double the pressure energy of the upper hole.

This means both holes have the same energy no?

This means they should both use this energy to fullfill the same work. The same length of water that is gushing out the barrel.

So I would think the bottom one is correct.

But I would like people to confirm on this, I need a real professional who knows the correct answer.

I think the top one is really plausible too...
 
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The lower barrel is the correct one. What we need here is the velocity on the horizontal direction.
 
Think of it this way...

The bottom hole will have the greater pressure head ([tex]\rho g h[/tex]). Since all three holes exhaust to atmosphere, that means the bottom hole has the greater pressure differential across it. That means the bottom hole will have the highest flow. Also, since all of the holes are assumed to be the same size, that means the greater pressure differential and thus greater flow rate, will have a higher fluid velocity.

That means the bottom picture would be the correct one.
 
The bottom one is the correct choice for the reasons given by Fred.
 
Well, the top one has also a higher pressure in the lower hole.

You can easily see that the shape of the lower hole is more straight than the shape of the upper hole. (in figure 1)

So why isn't it the first one?

Well I have the solution from a colleague of mine:


This is the base formula:

rho*g*h = cte 1/2*rho*v^2

Now you can just calculate the intersection points of the gushes of water.
They are not going through one point.

THOUGH I think that formula isn't correct, because it doesn't take in account the intersectional area of the holes?

But for this problem it is correct because the holes are of equal size...

Anyone who knows the right formula with intersectional area of the holes?
 
Last edited:
katchum said:
So why isn't it the first one?

Because the velocity at the outlet is greater as you move down the barrel due to the increase in hydrostatic pressure.

The formula for determining the velocity is given by,

v = SQRT(2gh)

where,

h = height from top of fluid level to the orifice discharge level
g = gravitational acceleration

"The velocity out from the tank is equal to speed of a freely body falling the distance h", also known as Torricelli's theorem.

http://www.eng.wayne.edu/legacy/forms/4/timmkunns.htm
 
the lower barrel is the right one. when u calculate the pressure of the fluid coming out of the nozzle, u will also have to add the pressure head of the liquid above the nozzle, which is equal to density of the fluid X Height of the fluid level above the nozzle. So the total pressure will be high for the lower most nozzle, n some what less for the 2nd nozzle and the 3 rd one. hence the exit velocity will be more for the bottom most nozzle..
 

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