Calculating a push force using area, speed, and density?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the force pushing the curtains out of the doorway due to wind, the area of the doorway is 2.162 m², with wind speed at 3.89 m/s and air density at 1.29 kg/m³. The change in pressure is derived using Bernoulli's equation, resulting in a pressure difference of approximately 9.76 Pa. Applying the formula F = PA, the calculated force is 21.105 N. The key point is that only the pressure difference affects the force on the curtains, not the absolute pressure values.
struggtofunc
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Homework Statement


The doorway in the previous question measures 1.06 m x 2.04 m, and the wind blows parallel to the wall surface at 3.89 m.s-1. Calculate the force pushing the curtains out of the doorway. The density of air is 1.29 kg.m-3.

Known data:
A = (1.06m)(2.04m) = 2.162 m^2
v(wind) = 3.89 ms-1
air density = 1.29 kg.m-3

Homework Equations


F=ma
P=F/A
change in P = (density)(g)(h) ?

The Attempt at a Solution


change in P = (density)(g)(h)
= (1.29) (9.8) (2.04)
= 25.79 Pa

P = F/A
F = PA
= (25.79)(2.1624)
= 55.77 N

I know my method is most likely wrong but I'm not too sure what other equations I could use, especially one that involves the velocity of the wind.
 
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Hint: Bernoulli discovered something about the pressure of moving fluids.
 
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So using Bernoulli's equation:

P1 + (½ * ρ * v1^2) + (½ * ρ * g * h1) = P2 + (½ * ρ * v2^2) + (½ * ρ * g * h2)

Because the wind is flowing parallel, it would be considered horizontal allowing me to cancel out the heights giving me the equation of

P1 + (½ * ρ * v1^2) = P2 + (½ * ρ * v2^2)

Now I'm expecting to be able to calculate P1 and then use F=PA to calculate the final answer (I'm given the area and would calculate P).

However, because this is a before and after type equation, how would I calculate P1 without a value for P2? I am completely stumped. Thanks for your help!
 
You get a pressure difference, that is sufficient. The absolute pressure does not matter (apart from its influence on the density, but that is taken into account already).
 
I'm really sorry but I think I am confusing myself now.

I've rearranged P1 + (½ * ρ * v1^2) = P2 + (½ * ρ * v2^2) to become
P1-P2= ½ * ρ ( v2^2 - V1^2). This would allow me to get a change in pressure.

However, Velocity is not changing so i would be getting a 0 value for v2^2 - V1^2 and wouldn't be able to progress the equation. Am I still on the right track?
 
There is no changing velocity, but there is a different velocity. One velocity is zero, the other is not.
 
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Oh yes, I see. Thankyou very much!

Using that then:

P1-P2= ½ * ρ ( v2^2 - V1^2)
change in pressure = 1/2 (1.29)(3.89^2)
= 9.7602045 Pa.

Am I now right to believe that I can use this value in P=F/A to calculate force?
It is a change in pressure so I'm unsure what 'types' of pressure to use in this calculation and why absolute pressure is not considered.

Edit: My calculations for force using P=F/A gives me an answer of 21.105 N
 
If you have the same pressure on both sides it doesn't influence the door. Only the pressure difference matters.

Looks fine.
 
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help :)
 
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