# Fluid mechanics problem

1. Nov 21, 2012

### utkarshakash

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A large cylindrical tank has a hole of area A at its bottom. Water is poured in the tank by a tube of equal cross-sectional area A ejecting water at the speed v

a)The water level in the tank will keep on rising.
b)No water can be stored in the tank.
c)The water level will rise to a height (v^2/2g) and then stop.
d)The water level will oscillate.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
The velocity of water when it reaches the bottom of the tank is $\sqrt{2gh}$ if I assume h to be the height of cylindrical tank. But it seems difficult to answer the question on this basis.

2. Nov 21, 2012

### haruspex

At first, water will only flow out of the hole slowly, so the level will rise.
What will determine the rate at which water flows out of the hole? (You may have been given an equation for this.)

3. Nov 22, 2012

### utkarshakash

Yes. The equation of continuity states that Av=constant. So it is the area of the hole that determines the rate of flow.

4. Nov 22, 2012

### haruspex

No, all that equation tells you is how to work out the volumetric rate from the linear rate. You also need an equation that helps you determine that linear rate. Does the name Bernoulli help?

5. Nov 22, 2012

### utkarshakash

Are you talking about Bernoulli's equation? If yes do you want me to write the equations for the water at the top and bottom level of the cylinder?

6. Nov 22, 2012

### haruspex

You need an equation that relates both the depth of the water in the tank and the size of the hole to the rate at which water leaves the tank.

7. Nov 23, 2012

### utkarshakash

I only know Bernoulli equation.

8. Nov 23, 2012

### haruspex

That's the one, but it might not be obvious to you how it simplifies for this situation.
Take a look at eqn (2) at http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/bernouilli-equation-d_183.html. Even this you can simplify a bit because you have atmospheric pressure both above the water and outside the hole.
So this gives you the relationship between the velocity (distance/time) of the water coming out of the hole and the height of water above the hole. See if you can use that to get a differential equation relating the height of the water to its rate of change.

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