Calculus II Problem: Dams and intergration by slicing

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force exerted on a dam by water pressure, specifically focusing on the shape of the dam defined by the curve y=0.6 x^2 and the line y=164. The context is within the subject area of calculus, particularly integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the integrand in terms of y and consider the relationship between volume, density, and mass. There is also mention of using the arc length to determine the width of the dam.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods to approach the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between volume and mass, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of expressing the width of the dam as a function of y and the implications of using integration for the problem. There is an emphasis on ensuring the calculations align with the physical parameters given.

JasonJo
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The Deligne Dam on the Cayley River is built so that the wall facing the water is shaped like the region above the curve y=0.6 x^2 and below the line y= 164 . (Here, distances are measured in meters.) The water level can be assumed to be at the top of the dam. Find the force (in Newtons) exerted on the dam by water pressure. Water has a density of 1000 kg/m^3 . Since this is a metric problem, you must multiply the mass to be lifted by 9.8 m/sec^2 to convert to a weight.
First give the integrand expressed in terms of y (the width of the dam must be expressed as a function of y).
 
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anyone?
 
i would find the volume of the damn using [tex]D=\frac{M}{V}[/tex]
I'm not sure on that. Once you get volume,
do volume times density to get mass. Multiply mass by 9.8 m/s^2. I think that's it, but could be wrong.
 
Last edited:
you also might be able to get the width of the dam by finding the arclength of the dam.
 

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