Fluids - bringing together pressure, depth and friction

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a fluid mechanics problem involving pressure, depth, and friction in a freshwater pond scenario. The original poster describes a setup with a tube submerged at a certain depth and blocked by a rock, seeking to determine the frictional force acting on the rock.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the frictional force using hydrostatic pressure and area, but questions arise regarding the influence of air pressure on the rock. Some participants suggest reconsidering the forces acting on the rock, including the pressure from the air on the opposite side.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on considering additional forces. There is a recognition of the need to account for the air pressure, and the discussion is exploring the implications of this on the original calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of pressure interactions in a fluid system, with specific attention to equilibrium conditions and the effects of external pressures. The original poster's calculations are based on certain assumptions that are being questioned and examined.

Arctangent
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Fluids -- bringing together pressure, depth and friction

Hi Again!

More troubles with fluids.

I was pretty sure I had this one.

There is a
freshwater pond
density, D=1000 kg/m^3
depth = 15.1 m
one of the sides is blocked off by a cliff.
A nearly horizontal tube
diameter = 3.17 cm
depth below the pond's surface is 6.2 m
eroded to the other side of the cliff
a rock blocks cuts off the flow of the water.

The question asks for the frictional force between the tube's wall and the rock blocking the exit.

I figured it would be fairly easy, since
F = P*A
and we can find out the hydrostatic pressure.
so
P = Patm + D*g*h
P = 101300 + 1000*9.8*6.2
P = 162060 Pa

A = pi*r^2 = pi* (0.01585)^2 = 7.89e-4 m^2

and therefore,

F = P*A = 127.9 N is the force on the rock blocking the exit

because there is no acceleration, the system is at equilibrium

so Fnet = F(ontherock) - F(friction) = 0
so F(on the rock) = F(friction)
so then my answer would be 127.9 N

Could you point out where I've made an error, and push me in the right direction?
 
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I think you didn't take into account the pressure of the air pushing back on the rock from the other side!
 
LOL i just posted a question EXACTLY like this. Anyways, I understand arctans argument, but I don't know where you would add the pressure pushing back from the other side . . .
 
Tide said:
I think you didn't take into account the pressure of the air pushing back on the rock from the other side!


ahh good point!

:biggrin:

So It'd be:

Fnet = F(airpushingonrock) + F(friction) - F(water) = 0

Am I correct?
 
That looks fine - just be careful with the signs of the forces.
 

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