Calculating Work Required to Empty a Tank of Beer

  • Thread starter Thread starter eumyang
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Beer Tank
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to pump beer from a cylindrical tank that is half full. The tank dimensions are 16 feet high with a radius of 4 feet, and the beer weighs 63 pounds per cubic foot. The integral set up for the work calculation is W = ∫₀⁸ 1008π(16 - y) dy, which correctly represents the weight of the beer and the distance it needs to be moved. The user confirms the integral setup is accurate and expresses relief at their understanding of the problem.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Calculus II concepts, specifically work and integrals.
  • Familiarity with cylindrical volume calculations.
  • Knowledge of weight density in physics, particularly for liquids.
  • Ability to set up and evaluate definite integrals.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the concept of work in physics and its mathematical representation.
  • Study cylindrical volume and surface area calculations in calculus.
  • Learn about the applications of definite integrals in real-world problems.
  • Explore advanced topics in Calculus II, such as integration techniques and applications.
USEFUL FOR

Students in Calculus II, educators teaching integral calculus, and anyone interested in applying calculus to real-world physics problems, particularly in fluid dynamics.

eumyang
Homework Helper
Messages
1,347
Reaction score
11
So a cousin has asked me for Calculus help, but my Calculus is rusty. She's in Calculus II (of a 3-semester sequence in the US) and is on Work. I decided to make up a problem for her, but I want to make sure I know what I'm doing.

Homework Statement


A cylindrical tank (16 feet high with a radius of 4 feet) is half full of beer that weighs 63 pounds per cubic foot. Find the work requred to pump beer out through a spout in the top of the tank.

Homework Equations


W = {\int_a}^b F(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I just would like to know if I had set up the integral right.

The volume of a disk of beer would be \pi \cdot 4^2 \Delta\ y
The weight of a disk of beer would be 63 \cdot 16\pi \Delta y = 1008\pi \Delta y
The distance to move a disk of beer to the top would be 16 - y

W = {\int_0}^8 1008\pi (16 - y) dy
Is the integral this? Seems too simple. If so, I can take it from here.

Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
That looks good to me.
 
Whew! Glad I'm not totally out of it. Thanks.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
9K
Replies
5
Views
10K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K