Digging a Well (Work Problem)

1. Nov 20, 2011

Sarangalex

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A well is dug in the shape of a rectangular prism. It is 30ft deep and has a base with area of 40ft^2. Assuming that the soil weighs 150 lbs/ft^3, calculate the work W required to raise the soil to ground level.

2. Relevant equations

W = ∫dW
dW = ρ(area)(distance)dx

3. The attempt at a solution

Then I said W = 150∫[from 0 to 30] 1200-40x dx

Solved to get 2700000ft/lb, which is wrong. I don't really understand what I did wrong here. Isn't this just like pumping water out of a tank or something?

2. Nov 20, 2011

LCKurtz

I get the same answer. I guess we are both assuming "rectangular prism" means the same thing as "rectangular parallelepiped" or "rectangular box".

3. Nov 21, 2011

Ray Vickson

I think your answer is too large by a factor of 30. Go back to your dW formula to see why.

RGV

4. Nov 21, 2011

Sarangalex

I don't understand why it would just be x for the distance rather than 30-x. Could someone explain this to me?

5. Nov 21, 2011

LCKurtz

It doesn't matter whether you use x or 30 - x. I think you are correct and I am puzzled what RGV sees that we don't, since his answers are usually spot on.

6. Nov 21, 2011

Sarangalex

But x and 30-x give you totally different answers...

7. Nov 21, 2011

LCKurtz

No they don't.

8. Nov 21, 2011

Ray Vickson

The cross-sectional area at depth x is 40 at x = 0, but the formula given by the OP gives 40*30. I think the correct formula should be dW = ρ*40*(30-x)/30 dx.

RGV

9. Nov 21, 2011

LCKurtz

But the OP has just chosen his coordinates measuring depth from the other end; that's the 30-x, which varies from 30 to 0. You could measure from the other end and use x as I mentioned earlier. The cross section is a constant 40.

We are both thinking of a hole shaped by a rectangular box, right?

10. Nov 21, 2011

Sarangalex

Oh, I'm sorry. I see they are the same now, I just don't understand how.

11. Nov 21, 2011

LCKurtz

It is just a matter of which end you put your coordinate system and whether x is measured
positive up or down.

12. Nov 21, 2011

Ray Vickson

No, I was thinking of a wedge-shaped excavation (because of the word "prism" in the original post). In that case I would be wrong anyway, because (my) dW is weight, not work. For a wedge-shaped hole the answer would be
Work = int rho * 40 * x*(1 - x/30) dx = 900000 ft-lb.

RGV

Last edited: Nov 21, 2011