Fluids and pressures (artery question)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to fluid dynamics, specifically focusing on blood flow and pressure changes in an artery affected by arteriosclerosis. The original poster presents two parts to the question: the increase in blood pressure difference due to a decrease in artery diameter and the decrease in blood flow rate under constant pressure conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the flow rate equation and how changes in artery diameter affect pressure and flow rate. The original poster attempts to simplify the equations for both parts of the problem but expresses uncertainty about framing their results in the context of the questions asked.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide insights into differentiating the flow rate equation and substituting values to find changes in rate. However, there remains a lack of clarity on how to interpret the results in relation to the original questions, particularly regarding the calculation of percentage changes in blood pressure and flow rate.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the original poster's confusion regarding the equations and their meanings, as well as the need for further clarification on how to present their findings accurately. The discussion reflects an ongoing exploration of the problem without reaching a definitive conclusion.

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Homework Statement


The diameter of a certain artery has decreased by 22% due to arteriosclerosis.

(a) If the same amount of blood flows through it per unit time as when it was unobstructed, by what percentage has the blood pressure difference between its ends increased?

(b) If, instead, the pressure drop across the artery stays the same, by what factor does the blood flow rate through it decrease? (In reality we are likely to see a combination of some pressure increase with some reduction in flow.)

Homework Equations



flow rate = (pi/8) * deltaP/(viscosity*L) * r^4. Fill in for point A (before the blockage) and fill in for point B (inside the blockage) and then set equal because flow rate doesn't change (for part (a)).

The Attempt at a Solution



For (a), I know that everything is constant except for deltaP and r, so the equation can be simplified down to deltaP of B/delta P of A = (r of A)^4/(r of B)^4 which is, in turn, = to (1/.78)^4, or at least I think it is. That gives a percentage of 2.7% which is incorrect.

For (b), I am similarly able to reduce the equations down to (.78/1)^4. That gives a factor of .37 drop in blood flow rate. Once again, I'm incorrect.I'm clearly not doing something correctly here. Can anyone shed a bit of light? Thank you.
 
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Going by your equation, rate, [tex]r=k P D^4[/tex] where [tex]k=\frac{2\pi}{L\nu}[/tex].

Differentiating this equation, [tex]dr=kP(4D^3)d(D)[/tex], now we know d(D)=.22 or 22%. Substituting this, you get your change in rate. Similarly for constant pressure.
 
chaoseverlasting said:
Going by your equation, rate, [tex]r=k P D^4[/tex] where [tex]k=\frac{2\pi}{L\nu}[/tex].

Differentiating this equation, [tex]dr=kP(4D^3)d(D)[/tex], now we know d(D)=.22 or 22%. Substituting this, you get your change in rate. Similarly for constant pressure.

chaoseverlasting, thank you for the response. However, to be honest, I don't really have any idea what those equations mean.

For part (a), I am able to get the equation down to deltaP of B / deltaP of A = (r of A / r of B)^4. That comes out to (1/.78)^4 = 2.7%. I believe my calculations are correct but I'm unable to frame them into exactly what the questions ask for.

I have the same issue with part (b). (.78/1)^4 = .37, but I don't really know how to frame that into what the question is asking for.
 
Ok, I figured out my issue.

For part (a), I took my number, subtracted 1 from it, and then multiplied by 100 to get the %.

Similarly, for part (b), I subtracted my number from 1. Makes sense now.
 
Alright, I am working a similar problem, but I don't understand what you said in the last section. I understand this part:

Cypripedium said:
For part (a), I am able to get the equation down to deltaP of B / deltaP of A = (r of A / r of B)^4. That comes out to (1/.78)^4 = 2.7%. I believe my calculations are correct but I'm unable to frame them into exactly what the questions ask for.

I have the same issue with part (b). (.78/1)^4 = .37, but I don't really know how to frame that into what the question is asking for.

but after that, I simply get lost. How is the percentage for the blood pressure difference ACTUALLY calcuated from here? Sorry for unearthing this post, but any help would be appreciated!
 

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