Calc II word problem(work needed to lift a leaky bucket)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done to lift a leaky bucket containing water, where both the weight of the bucket and the rope change as the water leaks out during the lift. The scenario is set in a calculus context, focusing on the integration of forces over a distance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the changing weight of the bucket and the rope as water leaks out, with one suggesting integration to account for this change. Questions about the assumptions regarding the rope's routing and its impact on the calculations are also raised.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the assumptions made about the rope's routing and how it affects the work calculation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration approach, but no consensus has been reached on the implications of the assumptions.

Contextual Notes

There are discussions about the assumptions made in the problem, including the fixed routing of the rope and how it influences the force required to lift the bucket. Participants also consider how different setups, such as using a pulley, might alter the equations involved.

nlsherrill
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Homework Statement


From Stewart Calculus Concepts and Contexts 4th edition pg.473 section 6.6 #15...

:A leaky 10-kg bucket is lifted from the ground to a height of 12 meters
at a constant speed with a rope that weighs 0.8kg/m. Initially the bucket contains 36kg of water but the water leaks at a constant rate and finishes draining just as the bucket reaches the 12 meter level. How much work is done

Homework Equations






The Attempt at a Solution



I am able to do these kind of problems, but the only thing different about this one is the weight is constantly changing. The total weight of the water/bucket/rope initially is 55.6 kg, and at the end its just the 10 kg bucket left.

I don't know how to approach the change in weight of the water leaking out of the bucket. So far I think you integrate from 0-12 meters, and the distance an arbitrary part of the rope has to travel is 12-x. Any hints?
 
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W = \int\limits_{a}^{b} F\,dr
F = mg
m = 10 + 36 + (.8)(12) - .8r - \frac{36r}{12}
a = 0
b = 12
g = 9.8
 
Ah that's actually quite simple. I thought a new variable would have to be introduced to account for a rate of change. Thanks a lot.
 
xcvxcvvc said:
W = \int\limits_{a}^{b} F\,dr
F = mg
m = 10 + 36 + (.8)(12) - .8r - \frac{36r}{12}
a = 0
b = 12
g = 9.8

That makes an assumption about how the rope is routed...

nlsherrill -- can you tell us what assumption he is making about how the rope is routed, and what would be different if it were routed differently?
 
berkeman said:
That makes an assumption about how the rope is routed...

nlsherrill -- can you tell us what assumption he is making about how the rope is routed, and what would be different if it were routed differently?

Hmm..well there are a bunch of factors that must be taken into consideration I suppose...but as far as the routing of the rope, I imagine it is fixed and stays in a straight line as it is pulled up 12 meters. Otherwise the amount of force required to keep the bucket moving at a constant rate would fluctuate because the bucket would move some in the x or z directions instead of just strictly the y direction. I believe this is the assumption they made, that the bucket travels strictly in a straight line, and the ropes shape does not change.

I don't know if that's what your looking for, but from the looks of the assumptions they made this problem about as easy as they could(besides the changing of the weight with respect to the distance traveled).
 
nlsherrill said:
Hmm..well there are a bunch of factors that must be taken into consideration I suppose...but as far as the routing of the rope, I imagine it is fixed and stays in a straight line as it is pulled up 12 meters. Otherwise the amount of force required to keep the bucket moving at a constant rate would fluctuate because the bucket would move some in the x or z directions instead of just strictly the y direction. I believe this is the assumption they made, that the bucket travels strictly in a straight line, and the ropes shape does not change.

I don't know if that's what your looking for, but from the looks of the assumptions they made this problem about as easy as they could(besides the changing of the weight with respect to the distance traveled).

xcv's solution assumes the rope is pulled up to a ledge or something, and dropped there. How would the equation change if the rope were looped over a single pulley, and pulled from the ground in order to hoist up the bucket...? (that is how it normally would be hoisted anyway, right?)
 
berkeman said:
xcv's solution assumes the rope is pulled up to a ledge or something, and dropped there. How would the equation change if the rope were looped over a single pulley, and pulled from the ground in order to hoist up the bucket...? (that is how it normally would be hoisted anyway, right?)

Ha I'm not really sure! I think it would be a different equation altogether because more rope would be needed in that senario. Otherwise the person on the ground wouldn't have a way to pull the bucket up to 12 meters.

Other than that...I don't know. Maybe some signs would change because the direction of action on the person pulling the rope up is different.
 

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