Bernoulli's equation and a water tank

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving Bernoulli's equation and a water tank with a hole at a certain height. The original poster explores the relationship between the height of the hole and the range of water exiting the tank, aiming to find the maximum range of the water stream.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivation of the flow speed of water exiting the hole and its relation to the height of the hole. There are attempts to express the range of the water stream in terms of the height and speed. Questions arise regarding the correctness of derived equations and the relationship between variables.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the correctness of the flow speed equation derived by others. There is ongoing exploration of how to express the maximum range in terms of the height of the hole, with various interpretations and substitutions being discussed. No explicit consensus has been reached on the final expression for maximum range.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of assistance they can provide to one another. There is an emphasis on ensuring that derived expressions are correct before proceeding to further parts of the problem.

notagenius08
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Homework Statement



A water tank of height h has a small hole at height y. The water is replenished to keep h from changing. The water squirting from the hole has range x. The range approaches zero as y goes to 0 because the water squirts right onto the table. The range also approaches zero as y goes to h because the horizontal velocity becomes zero. Thus there must be some height y between 0 and h for which the range is a maximum.

a)Find an algebraic expression for the flow speed v with which the water exits the hole at height y.

b)Find an algebraic expression for the range of a particle shot horizontally from height y with speed v.

c)Combine your expressions from parts A and B. Find the maximum range x_max

d)Find the height y of the hole.

Homework Equations



v1A1=v2A2
p1+.5(density)v1^2+(density)gy1=p2+.5(density)v2^2+(density)gy2
deltaK+deltaU=Wext

The Attempt at a Solution



a)Solving for v2(assuming this is outside the can velocity):

v=sqrt of 2p1/denisty-2p2/density+v1^2+2gy1-2gy2

computer told me to check my answer, so I guess its wrong.

b)distance=rate*time

t=sqrt of 2h/g

x=v*t

haven't tried part c or d cause I can't get part a) right.

Thanks for any help.
 
Last edited:
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Ok, so I have messed around a bunch and I think the answer for part a) is:

v=sqrt of 2*g(h-y)

Can anyone tell me if I am on the right track?
 
that's what i got for v, what did u get for the max range of x??
 
I typed in your equation for v and its correct. For my services, you think you could explain a bit how you got it?
 
Oh just realized that was posted some time, probably doesn't need my services, but . . .

Bluebear, I'm stuck at xmax = sqrt(4y(h-y)) I literally just substituted the answer from A into B.

But I think we have to get rid of y somehow so I'm hesitant to submit this. Have you gotten it yet?
 
the velociyty for an obj falling in kinematics is sqrt[2gh]
Vf^2 - Vi^2 = 2as where a = acceleration and s = displacement
here a = g since its falling and s = h-y = distance the water has fallen up to the point of the hole.
and Vi = 0
so Vf^2 = 2*g*(h-y)
and solve for v by taking the square root of both sides
and no I haven't tried c yet but it is part of my homework so I will try very soon
hope this helps
 
the eqn you got i think only solves for x, but not Xmax

y = 1/2 h for max range, i think you can solve for the rest
you had the right idea with sqrt(4y(h-y)) take the 4 out and u get 2sqrt(y(h-y))
looking at inside the radical y(h-y). you want that value to be the largest as possible. But when you increase y, u decrease h-y and vice versa, so the biggest value u can get is 1/2 * 1/2. its a little common sense twist
 
Last edited:
Great, thanks for your help. You haven't by any chance also been assigned 15.58, the boat problem? There's a thread called "buoyancy force on a steel boat", where I describe my work on it.
 

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