Power of Niagara Falls: How Many 80 W Bulbs Can It Power?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around calculating the power generated by water flowing over Niagara Falls, specifically how many 80 W light bulbs can be powered by this energy. The problem involves concepts from physics, including gravitational potential energy and power calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between mass flow rate, gravitational force, and power output. There are discussions about applying Newton's second law and the definitions of work and power. Some participants question the variables involved, particularly regarding mass and velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing different perspectives on the calculations needed. Some have offered insights into the equations relevant to the problem, while others are clarifying the assumptions and definitions that underpin the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be a focus on ensuring the correct application of physical laws and definitions, with some participants emphasizing the need to consider the mass flow rate and its implications for the calculations. The original poster has reiterated the problem statement, indicating a need for clarity in the approach.

Unknown_20
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Water flows over a section of Niagara Falls at
a rate of 1.38 x 10^6 kg/s and falls 32 m.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
How many 80 W bulbs can be lit with this
power?
 
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Unknown_20 said:
Water flows over a section of Niagara Falls at
a rate of 1.38 x 10^6 kg/s and falls 32 m.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
How many 80 W bulbs can be lit with this
power?

Force = Mass*Acceleration, which in this case will be in Newtons.
P = Force*distance / time, note that force*distance is also called "work" and the units of work are "Joules". A watt is Joules over time, which is exactely what this equation comes up with.

That should be all you need to know.
 
thanks for the help.
 
If i am not mistaken, here we have to use Newton's second law in real form that's
f=d/dt(m*v)
here velocity is not the variable but the mass (check kg/s)
work done = f*d/time

you can do the rest.
 

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