# Homework Help: Hole Punched in the Side of Container

1. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A hole is punched in the side of an 20 cm tall container full of water. To maximize horizontal distance of the water, how far from the bottom of the container should the hole be punched?

2. Relevant equations
??
$$\Delta$$y = v0t + .5at2

3. The attempt at a solution
This problem deals with fluid dynamics, but I'm not sure which equation might apply... therefore, I'm not sure how to begin. Help?

2. Apr 13, 2009

### Dweirdo

Hi,
These question deals with Bernoulli which I didn't study yet, but there is another way to solve it.
If you would know the initial speed of the water the comes out from the container,will you be able to solve the question? or it's not the thing that bothers you?
well to get the initial velocity,There is a "non written law" or maybe it's not , anyway:
the initial kinetic energy of the drop equals to the potential energy the drop has in the height the hole was punched.
you can get initial velocity here. now try to get the distance as a function of h, and tell me how it goes, I'll try to guide You from there.
Good Luck

3. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

Applying Bernouli's equation find the velocity of the water coming out of the hole.
Initially the velocity is horizontal and it remains constant.. The moves in a projectile motion. Its vertical velocity increases. Find the it takes to reach the floor. The range of the water R is given by the product of horizontal velocity X time it takes to reach the ground. To find the condition for maximum range find dR/dh and equate it to zero.

4. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

I know that Bernoulli's equation is:

P1 + .5$$\rho$$v12 + $$\rho$$gy1 = P2 + .5$$\rho$$v22 + $$\rho$$gy2

However, I am given only the height of the container (20cm). Would it be correct to say that
P1 = P2 = P0 and that v2 = O.

Then v1 becomes $$\sqrt{2gh}$$.

But I still do not know how to determine how far from the bottom of the container the hole should be placed.

(By the way, the course I'm in does not rely on calculus knowledge, so is there a different way to approach this without having to take a derivative?)

5. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

The distance form hole to ground is H - h.
Using the formula (H-h) = vot + 0.5gt^2, find the time to reach the water to the ground. Here vo is zero. Then x = v1*t

In projectile motion, when the range is maximum, what is the relation between range and maximum height?
Here x = R/2 and maximum height is (H - h)

Last edited: Apr 13, 2009
6. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

Oh, wait... do I want to solve for v1? Or is it v2?

Sigh... I still do not know how to determine how far from the bottom of the container the hole should be placed.

Any help would be appreciated.
________________________________________

Edit: Hmmm... just got your post, rl.bhat. Will try your suggestion =)

Last edited: Apr 13, 2009
7. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

So:

(H - h) = v0t +.5gt2

v0 = 0

H - h = .5(9.8)t2

h = v1t

H - v1t = .5(9.8)t2

and v1t = $$\sqrt{2gh}$$t

Thus:

H - $$\sqrt{2gh}$$t = .5(9.8)t2

Is this correct?

Now I have two variables: height and time.

The relationship between range and maximum height: typically, wouldn't half of the range be the location of the maximum height? But in this case, we're starting from height h, such that h $$\neq$$ 0. Edit: Oh, wait! Is it potential energy? PE = mgh?

Last edited: Apr 13, 2009
8. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

In the projectile motion, when the range is maximum angle of projection is 45 degree and maximum range is equal to 4* maximum height.
In the problem H - h = 0.5gt^2.
Hence t = [2*(H-h)/g]^1/2
Now x = 2(H-h) = v1*t
Substitute the values of t and v1 and simplify.

9. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

Ok... will try that right now.

10. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

If x = v1*t, then:

t = $$\sqrt{(v1*t)/g}$$ = $$\sqrt{\sqrt{2gh}t/g}$$

Plugging t into the equation gives:

H - h = .5(9.8)((t$$\sqrt{2gh}$$)/g)

Correct?

11. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

2(H-h) = (2gh)^1/2*[2(H-h)/g]^1/2 = 2[h(H-h)]^1/2
[H-h] = [h(H-h)]^1/2
Now simplify.

12. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

2(H - h) = 2$$\sqrt{h(H - h)}$$

Square both sides:

H2 - 2Hh + h2 = Hh - h2

H2 - 3Hh + 2h2 = 0

Is this ok?

13. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

OK. Now solve for h.

14. Apr 13, 2009

### science.girl

If it is ok... then:

(H - h)(H - 2h) = 0

You have the system of equations:

H + h = 20 --> 2H + 2h = 40

H - 2h = 0

3H = 40

H = 40/3 = 13.3

Plug that in to get h = 6.7cm?

So, 6.7 is the height from the bottom of the container?

Last edited: Apr 13, 2009
15. Apr 13, 2009

### rl.bhat

In the problem H = 20 cm = height of the container. h is the height of the hole from the surface of the water.

16. Apr 14, 2009

### mukundpa

I think we have to maximize the horizontal distance covered by water with h to get min h

17. Apr 14, 2009

### Dweirdo

rl.bhat:
Correct me If I'm wrong , It's not a projectile motion, there is no angle, it is "shot" horizontally.
well anyway, My answer is not 6.7.
initial speed = LaTeX Code: \\sqrt{2gh}
now the initial height is : H-h, h is the distance from the top to where the hole is punched.
Using kinematics You should get D(distance)=Vi*Sqrt[2(H-h)/g)]
put Vi to the equation, and you get a function D by h.
Now How will You get the maximum distance of a function of distance??(hint:math!!!!! 2 ways to find the h,using derivative or by a law in math, that sqrt(m*n)<=(m+n)/2 always! , and sqrt(m*n)=(m+n)/2 when m=n, where do You see that in our problem?)
Good luck,Tell me how it goes,I hope I'm right anyway :P

Last edited: Apr 14, 2009
18. Apr 14, 2009

### rl.bhat

Anything "shot" horizontally falls freely under gravity. What is the nature of this motion?

19. Apr 14, 2009

### Dweirdo

Well I don't know how It's called, I'm not from the USA , here we divide the motion to a motion with an initial angle and a motion with initial angle =0.
Excuse me if that's what You meant,but You wrote in one of Your post that the maximum distance is in a 45 degrees angle, but where do You see an angle here?

20. Apr 14, 2009

### rl.bhat

At what initial angle of projection the range of an object is maximum? And is there any relation between this maximum range and maximum height?
In the above problem I am referring later half of the motion.

21. Apr 14, 2009

### Dweirdo

I don't think we understand each other, Of course the maximum range is when shot in 45 degrees,but i Don't think that It's related to the problem, The solution I wrote is IMO correct, this is what i think happens in the problem, maybe I understood it Wrong.
What do You think?

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