Calculate Remaining Anesthetic Time: Mass Flow Rate Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the remaining time for an anesthetic based on a mass flow rate scenario. The patient has 18 mg of anesthetic left, with an initial flow rate of 12 mg/h that is to be increased to 20 mg/h over two minutes. The challenge lies in determining how long the anesthetic will last under these changing conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the flow rate increase and its effect on anesthetic consumption. There are questions about the clarity of the problem statement and different interpretations of how the flow rate change occurs over the two-minute period.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to clarify the flow rate increase, and there is an acknowledgment of the ambiguity in the wording of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the problem statement may be ambiguous, leading to different interpretations about the flow rate increase. Participants are encouraged to provide their attempts to further the discussion.

jmine
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Homework Statement


A patient, on an anesthetic, is hooked up with only 18 mg of the anesthetic remaining. If the current flow is 12 mg/h and the dentist needs to increase the flow to 20.0 mg/h within two minutes, then how long will it take for the anesthetic to run out?

Homework Equations



mfr = Mass flow rate
mfr = ∆m/∆t

amfr = Acceleration Mass flow rate
amfr = ∆mfr/∆t[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



[/B]
 
Last edited:
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My opinions for reference:
You should pay attention to the ##20\text{mg}/\text{h}## increase and how it increases. Then can see the consumption during these two minutes.
 
Is that exactly as stated in the book? It's a little ambiguous...
I'd guess it's attempting to say:

A patient, on an anesthetic, is hooked up with only 18 mg of the anesthetic remaining. the initial flow is 12 mg/h, the dentist gradually increases the flow to 20.0 mg/h over a period of two minutes, then how long will it take for the anesthetic to run out?
 
billy_joule said:
Is that exactly as stated in the book? It's a little ambiguous...
I'd guess it's attempting to say:

A patient, on an anesthetic, is hooked up with only 18 mg of the anesthetic remaining. the initial flow is 12 mg/h, the dentist gradually increases the flow to 20.0 mg/h over a period of two minutes, then how long will it take for the anesthetic to run out?
Possibly, but to me it sounds more that after two minutes the flow will increase in one step to 20mg/h. Your interpretation has the merit of making the question more interesting.
Is it only the interpretation that's stopping you? If there's more help needed, you must post an attempt.
 

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