Animal Foraging Radius Equation Part 2

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of an animal's foraging radius using the equation r = [QC + Qdt - T(Ema + Emc/2)] / [2k + (2Qd/v)]. Key parameters include Q = 5.2 × 10^6 J, C = 1.5 kg, d = 0.055 kg/hour, k = 2.0 Joules/m, Ema = 24 Watts, Emc = 42 Watts, T = 48 hours, v = 45 km/hour, and t = 12 hours. Participants emphasize the importance of unit consistency and suggest simplifying the equation to reduce calculation errors. Attention to physical units is critical to avoid nonsensical results.

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Ecologists, wildlife biologists, students studying animal behavior, and researchers involved in ecological modeling will benefit from this discussion.

killbot2000
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Homework Statement



I asked a similar question before relating to an animal's foraging radius. I think there was a typo but I'd like to show another example to see if I'm on the right track.

The parameter values are as follows:

Q= 5.2 × 106 J
C = 1.5kg
d= 0.055kg per hour
k= 2.0 Joules/m
Ema = 24 Watts
Emc = 42 Watts
T = 48 hours
v= 45km per hour
t= 12 hours


Homework Equations



r = [QC +Qdt - T(Ema+Emc/2)/(2k+ (2Qd/v))]


The Attempt at a Solution



(7800000 + 5.2*10^6*.055*12 - 172800 (45))/16.711111111111112
 
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killbot2000 said:

Homework Statement



I asked a similar question before relating to an animal's foraging radius. I think there was a typo but I'd like to show another example to see if I'm on the right track.

The parameter values are as follows:

Q= 5.2 × 106 J
C = 1.5kg
d= 0.055kg per hour
k= 2.0 Joules/m
Ema = 24 Watts
Emc = 42 Watts
T = 48 hours
v= 45km per hour
t= 12 hours


Homework Equations



r = [QC +Qdt - T(Ema+Emc/2)/(2k+ (2Qd/v))]


The Attempt at a Solution



(7800000 + 5.2*10^6*.055*12 - 172800 (45))/16.711111111111112


A minor point is that it would be good practice to group the first two numerator terms as
Q(C + DT). One less arithmetical operation to do and error risked. Similarly you could take out the factor 2 in the denominator

More important is you must pay constant attention to units. E.g.you do not give a unit for your result - metres or Km...

It seems there is something wrong about your physical units, maybe misquotation of formulae or units? The expression I just gave is JoulesXKg. The way you have written the equation they appear as such in the result which is nonsense - you must get a distance. The denominator has a similar anomaly and you would be adding things of incompatible dimensions - it is probably the second term that is wrong.
 
(I see I drew attention to the same units and dimensions issue in your previous thread.)
 

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