Estimate the number of raindrops that fell during the storm

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves estimating the number of raindrops that fell during a thunderstorm, given the amount of rainfall and the area it covered. The subject area relates to fluid volume and estimation techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the lack of information regarding the size of a raindrop and suggest looking up average volumes. There is mention of using approximations typical in Fermi problems.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing with participants exploring various assumptions and potential approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of approximations, but no consensus has been reached on how to proceed due to the missing information.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of specific details such as the radius of a raindrop, which is crucial for estimating the total number of raindrops. There is also a suggestion that the problem may rely on previous knowledge or assumptions about raindrop size.

andrewn
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Homework Statement


A thunderstorm drops half an inch of rain (approximately .01m) of rain which covers an area of about 70 miles (approximately 10^8 m^2).Estimate the number of raindrops that fell during the storm.


Homework Equations


Area of a sphere,the raindrop= (4/3)(pi)(r^3)


The Attempt at a Solution


no idea where to start because the radius and area of a single raindrop is unknown
 
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Nothing else is given?
 
nope
 
Maybe google average volume of a rain drop, can't do this problem without more info. Unless they want you to estimate the size of a raindrop, or have a previous problem that tells you.
 
that's a fermi problem; they give these like problems in the beginning,
so just use approximations,
there's no correct answer
 

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