Hot Water Cylinder: Min. Heat Loss Calc.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around minimizing heat loss from a hot-water cylinder with a hemispherical end cap, given a specific volume of 125 liters. Participants are exploring the geometric relationships between the cylinder's dimensions and its surface area.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the radius and height for minimum heat loss using volume and surface area equations. Some participants question the inclusion of the base area and the correct formulation of the surface area equation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the calculations and equations involved. There is some agreement on the radius value, but uncertainty remains regarding the correct surface area formulation and the implications for height calculation. Guidance is being offered on how to approach the problem, though no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the geometry of the cylinder and the hemispherical cap, particularly about which surfaces contribute to the total surface area. Participants express uncertainty about the calculations and the setup of the problem.

Sagesky
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Homework Statement



To reduce heat loss, the surface area of a hot-water tank must be kept to a minimum. If such a tank is 125 litters in capacity, and can be approximated by a cylinder in shape with a hemispherical end cap; calculate the radius and overall height for minimum heat loss.hi can anyone check my ansers please thanks

The Attempt at a Solution


125 litres = 125000 cm^3

The volume is the sum of the volume of a hemisphere and a cylinder.
V= 2/3 πr^3+πr^2 h
The surface area is
S=2πrh+2πr^2
Isolate h in the Volume equation.
V= πr^3+πr^2 h

h=(V- 2/3 πr^2 )/(πr^2 )

Substitute for h into the Surface area equation.
S=2πr^2 (V- 2/3 πr^2 )/(πr^2 )+2πr^2
S=(2V )/r+2/3 πr^2
calculate the derivative.
ds/dr= - (2V )/r^2 +4/3 πr
Solve for r
- 2V + 4/3 πr^3=0

r^3= (3v )/2π

r^3= (3 ×125000 )/2π

r^3= 59683
r= ∛59683
r = 39.1 cm
to calculate the height
h=(125000- 2/3 π〖39.1〗^2 )/(π〖39.1〗^2 )

Height = 25 cmsorry can figuare how to make the equations non linnear
 
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Your answer looks right to me; I didn't check the last couple calculations, but i get r = 39.1 cm, too.
 
thanks did i include the base ok?
 
Oh wait, I might have duplicated your mistake. :) The cylinder just has a hemispherical cap in place of one of the ends, but the other end is just a flat "circle" cap, right?

Then:

SA = SA_{walls} + SA_{flatcap} + SA_{hemcap} = 2 \pi r h + \pi r^2 + 2 \pi r^2 = 2 \pi r h + 3 \pi r^2

And then solve in the same way you did.
 
thank s
 
do i use the 2pirh + 3pir^2 for making h the subject

am hopeless at this question
 
hi i was check over my height equation is it

2pir^2 (v- 0.66 pi r^3/pi r^2) = height?
 

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