Solving Cloud Physics Problems - Brad's Request for Help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics problems related to cloud physics and force dimensions. The first problem involves calculating the number of water droplets in a cloud necessary to produce a specified amount of rainfall. The second problem focuses on determining the dimensions of constants in a force equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the volume of water droplets and the volume of rainfall, with one suggesting a formula for calculating the number of droplets based on area and depth. Questions arise about the origin and application of the equations presented, particularly in the context of high school versus college physics.

Discussion Status

Some participants are actively engaging with the problems, offering hints and formulas while others express uncertainty about the concepts involved. There is a mix of attempts to clarify the first problem and confidence in addressing the second problem regarding dimensions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenges posed by the complexity of the problems, with one indicating a lack of prior exposure to similar physics concepts. There is also mention of the need for further clarification on the equations used.

brad sue
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Hi I have those 2 problems:

A typical cloud contains droplets of water with an average radius of .5 * 10^-4m.
how many droplets are needed for a cloud that provides a rainfall of .5 cm.
( the answer must be 1*10^21 droplets)


for this second problem I don't know how to find two equations:

A force F acting on a body of mass m a distance r from some origin has a magnitude of F=(A*m*exp(h*r))/r^4, where A and h are both constants.
Given that the force has dimensions kilogram-meter per seconds squared, what are the dimensions of both A and h.

Please can I have some help or suggestions for those problems?

Thank you very much

brad
 
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(a) [tex]N = \frac{3 A h}{4 \pi r^3}[/tex]

where A is the area to be covered, h = 0.5 cm is the depth and r is the radius of each drop.

(b) Hint: the argument of the exponential must be dimensionless - and - the dimensions of mA must be that of the force.
 
Last edited:
Yeah (b) shouldn't be a problem...

But what is (a)??

Granted I'm in high school but I've never encountered that kind of physics... where does it come from?
 
It is college physics freshman
but I am sure U can do it :smile:

I have no idea how Tide find the solution for the first problem ( N=...)
I will try to work on it but if I don't find something I will ask him how he did it.
Thanks

brad

HiPPiE said:
Yeah (b) shouldn't be a problem...

But what is (a)??

Granted I'm in high school but I've never encountered that kind of physics... where does it come from?
 
The total volume of the drops (number of drops times the volume of each drop) is equal to the volume of the fallen rain (depth of rainfall times the area covered by the rain).
 

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