An electric pump raise 9.1m^3 of water from a reservoir

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the minimum power rating of an electric pump that raises a specified volume of water from a reservoir to a storage tank. The problem involves concepts of potential energy, efficiency, and power calculations in the context of fluid mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the potential energy formula and the relationship between energy, power, and time. There are attempts to clarify the meaning of variables and the correct application of formulas. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of mass change and the calculation of density.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering hints and guidance on how to approach the calculations. There is an exploration of different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the mass and height involved in the energy calculation. Some participants express confusion about unit conversions and the correct application of efficiency in the power calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the total height change when calculating energy and the need to convert time into seconds for power calculations. There is also mention of a textbook that presents challenging questions, indicating the complexity of the material being discussed.

lionely
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1. An electric pump raise 9.1m^3 of water from a reservoir whose water-level is 4m
below ground level to a storage tank above ground. If the discharge pipe outlet is
32m above ground and the operation takes 1hour,find the minimum power rating of
the pump if it's efficiency is 70%.(1m^3 of water has a mass of 1000kg)

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



An Idea suddenly came to me I need to find the energy but using Potential Energy formula? mgh?

I'm sorry I have no Idea how to attempt it, please help me, give me a hint on what to do.
 
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Yes, potential energy = mgh.

And power = Energy / Time = mgh / time

Or the ideal power is expressed as:

Power (ideal) = (Δm / Δt) gh

And we divide this by the pump efficiency \eta to get the real power:

Power (ideal) = (Δm / Δt) X gh / \eta


Notice that Δm can be figured our from your volume and density and Δt is given.
 


Sorry I'm not a pro physics student that triangle means change right? so it's change in mass/change in time x gravity x height/ 70%?
 


lionely said:
Sorry I'm not a pro physics student that triangle means change right? so it's change in mass/change in time x gravity x height/ 70%?
Yes ! And you are getting the idea, so maybe one day soon you will be a pro physics student.
 


But the thing is I don't see a change in mass or density. :S
 


Ohh wait I should find the density by doing 9100KG x 9.1? because Density = Mass x volume?
 


lionely said:
But the thing is I don't see a change in mass or density. :S
Think of the change is mass as follows:

First note: mass = density X volume = 1000 kg / m^3 X 9.1 m^3

After 1 hour, all this mass will be pumped out, so this is your "change" in mass.
 


lionely said:
Ohh wait I should find the density by doing 9100KG x 9.1? because Density = Mass x volume?
Close. But, Density = Mass / Volume
 


Alright should I do this 9100 x 10 x 32( I believe this is the height) to get the energy then divide it by the efficiency?
 
  • #10


lionely said:
Alright should I do this 9100 x 10 x 32( I believe this is the height) to get the energy then divide it by the efficiency?
Close. Notice that the water is 4 m underground, so work is done over a total height change of: 32m + 4m. And you have to introduce your time of 1 hour in the equation to get power.
 
  • #11


Alright so it's Power= Energy/Time = mgh/time = 9100kg x 10 x 36/ 60 or convert the 36m to km?
 
  • #12


lionely said:
Alright so it's Power= Energy/Time = mgh/time = 9100kg x 10 x 36/ 60 or convert the 36m to km?
With some practice, you can learn to manipulate units: (kg/sec) X (m/s^2) X m = watt. For now, if you stay in base SI units of kg, m, s, then energy will be in joules, and power will be in watts. So your time should be noted as: 1 hr = 3600 sec.
 
  • #13


I can't seem to get the answer in the back of the book it says 1.3kW
 
  • #14


lionely said:
I can't seem to get the answer in the back of the book it says 1.3kW
Show me the numbers you used.
 
  • #15


9100kg x 10m/s2 x 36m / 60 seconds = 54,600J/70%
 
  • #16


lionely said:
9100kg x 10m/s2 x 36m / 60 seconds = 54,600J/70%
The elapsed time is 1 hr:

1 hr = 60 minutes = 3600 sec.
 
  • #17


LOL I didn't even realize LOL I'm STUPID
 
  • #18


lionely said:
LOL I didn't even realize LOL I'm STUPID
Honest mistake.

This is a good "real world" problem. Try to understand all we did.
 
  • #19


I will this textbook I'm using is full of challenging questions, Physics by Abbott you know of it?
 
  • #20


lionely said:
I will this textbook I'm using is full of challenging questions, Physics by Abbott you know of it?
I used Modern Physics by Tipler back in my college days.
 
  • #21


Oh, I'm in grade 11.
 

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