How Do I Calculate Annual Precipitation for a Watershed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the annual precipitation for a specific watershed based on provided data, including watershed area, flow rate, infiltration, evapotranspiration, and changes in storage. The context is primarily homework-related, focusing on the application of relevant equations and unit conversions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for calculating annual precipitation, indicating a need to consider inputs and outputs, including evapotranspiration and changes in storage.
  • Another participant suggests transforming all measurements to a single unit system to simplify calculations, recommending the use of meters and years.
  • A concern is raised about the large numbers resulting from converting seconds to years, questioning if this is acceptable.
  • Scientific notation is mentioned as a helpful tool for managing large numbers in calculations.
  • Participants discuss the implications of using negative powers in scientific notation, with one confirming understanding of its meaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of unit conversion for the calculations, but there is uncertainty regarding the implications of large numbers and the use of scientific notation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to handle these conversions and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about unit conversions and the implications of using different time scales in their calculations. There are also unresolved questions about how to interpret and apply scientific notation in this context.

remaan
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Hello every one, I wish if you could help with this problem :

b]1. Homework Statement [/b]

Given the following informaiton for a paritculart watershed, determine the amount of the annual precipitaion received


Homework Equations



water shed area : 4530 m^2
average flowrate : 39.6 m^3/second
Average infiltration 9.2 * 10 ^ -7 m/s
Evapo-transpirtaiton : 45 cm/year
change is storage -23.9 cm/year


The Attempt at a Solution



I am sure that the formula to solve this is : change in storage = input - output + prec. - Evaportaion .

However, I have some doubts :

First, I assumed that the Evapo-transpirtaiton is the same as : Evaportaion so I am going to substitute it in the formula .


Second, which is the major :
The units - do we need to convert the units ?
My idea is to convert all cm to m but then when prec.is found : how to know if m/year

or m/s ?


Hope hearing replying soon =)
 
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Just transform all to a single unit. No matter what transformation you make if you have a single set of units the result will be right. And after you can transform the result in any unit system you want or anything that fits better, m/year maybe.

e.g.

m instead of any other length unit
year instead of second ...as at such a surface area the second seems small.
 
oh,
so, you're saying that I need to make all cm to m and all seconds to years.

But the numbers will be sooo big because there are a really huge amount of seconds in one year ..

So, is that ok ?
 
That's where the scientific notation (6.02x1023) comes in handy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok, thnx I 'll try this >
 
Borek you made me laugh :)
 
But, what if I got powers with(-) sign ?
 
That's OK, that's part of the notation. Do you know what it means?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ya .. thnx a lot
 

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