Fluid mechanics,interesting problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a fluid mechanics problem involving an open-topped vertical tube filled with water, where the water flows out through a narrow bottom orifice after a stop is removed. Participants explore the dynamics of fluid flow, particularly focusing on the speed of water exiting the tube and the time it takes to reach that speed, while ignoring viscous effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the problem using conservation of energy and the equation of continuity. They question their assumption of constant acceleration and the implications of reaching a speed of v=√(2gh). Other participants raise concerns about the validity of assumptions and suggest considering the origins of the speed equation and the time it takes for the water to reach that speed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning assumptions and exploring different lines of reasoning. Some guidance is offered regarding the relationship between parameters such as acceleration and time, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that they are restricted from using external information and must provide rough estimates based on reasonable parameter values. The requirement for a rough estimate adds a layer of complexity to the discussion.

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Homework Statement


An open-topped vertical tube of diameter D is filled with water up to a height h.The narrow bottom-end of the tube ,of diameter d, is closed by stop .
when the stop is removed ,the water starts flowing out through the bottom orifice with approximate speed v=√(2gh). However ,this speed is reached by the liquid only after a certain time t.obtain an estimate of the order of magnitude of t.Ignore viscous effects.


Homework Equations


equation of continuity(mass conservation), A.v=constant
bernoulli's equation, P+0.5ρv2+ρgh =constant
the total energy,potential +kinetic ,of water is conserved.

The Attempt at a Solution


i assumed that i) water level falls with "constant" acceleration a.
then in a small time dt, i found the mass of water that came out of the hole,and decrease in water level.this gives me the loss of potential energy.i know velocity at the end of that small interval,i used it to find kinetic energy.using energy conservation ,i got a=g.
i don't know how to proceed now. also i am not sure about my first assumption.and once the liquid starts falling out at v=√(2gh),will this acceleration magically disappear? does the fact that a=g,implies normal force from the bottom surface is 0 during the acceleration period?
 
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I'm not sure about your assumption either. But I'm not certain what the answer is meant to be. Are you allowed to look up information for this question? I know what my guess would be for the answer, but it would require me to look up one fact online.

Anyway, I'd start by thinking about the equation v=√(2gh) where does this equation come from? and keeping this in mind, why do you think it would require a short amount of time before it started to be true?
 
no, i am not allowed to use other information.i am required only to give a rough estimate, taking reasonable values for the parameters,if required.numerical prefactor need not be accurate.

i get v=√2gh ,by applying bernoulli's theorem at 1)a point just inside the water from top.
2)apoint just outside hole.
P1=P2=atmospheric pressure
v1can be neglected at first,in comparison to v2.
therefore, after cancelling pressures and rearranging,i get, v2=√2gh.
now ,D2v1=d2v2,
this gives v1=(d/D)2√2gh.
it would require a short amount of time before it started to be true,because velocity cannot change instantaneously.

this is how i got a=g:-
(a is the acceleration of water in the tube,acceleration of water coming out would be a(D/d)2)
mass of water that came out in time dt after opening the stop=0.5a(dt)2*0.25πD2water
height descended =0.5a(dt)2
velocity at time dt=a(dt).
now using energy conservation ,
mass*height descended*g=0.5*mass*(velocity)2.
from there i get a=g.
 
I think you get a=g because the assumption you're effectively making is that the water is in free-fall. This is good, it gives us the parameter g. You need to get a timescale. And you have the parameter g and the height h. So from these two parameters, what powers should they be raised to, to give a parameter of time?

Also, the reason I was asking about the equation v=√2gh was because this works by pressure being transmitted through the water, forcing water to come out at that speed. So my guess was that you could use the parameter of the speed of a pressure wave in water. But, you said that you can't look up this value, so I think it's best to ignore this idea.
 

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