Average velocity over an interval

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 9K views
rubecuber
Messages
46
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The velocity v of blood that flows in a blood vessel with radius R and length l at a distance r from the central axis is v(r), where P is the pressure difference between the ends of the vessel and η is the viscosity of the blood.
v(r) = P/4nl (R^2 - r^2)

a) Find the average velocity vave (with respect to r) over the interval 0 ≤ r ≤ R.
vave =

(b) Compare the average velocity vave with the maximum velocity vmax.




Homework Equations


v(r) = P/4nl (R^2 - r^2)
and
http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=v2qyuycs2k81812&thumb=6

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm looking at this and trying to work it out and the best I can do now is cry. But seriously, I don't know what's important and what's not. I'll take anything. I know average velocity is 1/(b-a) integral of what you're doing but it doesn't make much sense to me to take the integral of that nasty equation so I'm at a loss.

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
It's not a 'nasty' expression. P, n, l and R are constants. It's just a quadratic in r. Really, integrals don't come much easier. Just try it, ok? Split it into (P/(4nl))R^2-(P/(4nl))*r^2. This first term is just a constant and the second one is a constant time r^2. Oh, and use more parentheses. P/4nl could mean (P/4)*nl, (P/(4n))*l etc etc. They aren't the same.
 
For the second part of the problem how do you get the ratio? or find the max velocity to make the ratio