Fluid mechanics water tank level

AI Thread Summary
A cylindrical tank with a hole at the bottom experiences rising water levels as water is poured in at a speed v. The flow rate out of the hole is determined by the area of the hole and can be analyzed using Bernoulli's equation. Initially, the water level rises slowly until it reaches a height of (v^2/2g), at which point the flow dynamics stabilize. The discussion emphasizes the need for a relationship between the water depth and the outflow rate to derive a differential equation. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving fluid mechanics problems related to tank levels.
utkarshakash
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Homework Statement


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.

Homework Equations



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.
 
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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.)
 
haruspex said:
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.)

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

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?
 
utkarshakash said:
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?
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.
 
haruspex said:
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.

I only know Bernoulli equation.
 
utkarshakash said:
I only know Bernoulli equation.
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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