How Do You Calculate the Rate of Change in a Hemispherical Tank?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the rate of change in a hemispherical tank's volume and surface radius as water flows in. The problem involves a hemispherical tank with a radius of 10 feet, where the volume of water is expressed using the formula V = (2πr^3)/3. The participants clarify that the correct approach requires using the spherical cap volume formula instead of the hemispherical one when the water depth is less than the tank's radius. The correct derivative dV/dh at h=5 feet is confirmed to be 75 cubic feet per foot.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically derivatives and related rates
  • Familiarity with the volume formulas for hemispherical and spherical cap shapes
  • Knowledge of the relationship between volume, height, and radius in geometric shapes
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations and apply the quadratic formula
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the spherical cap volume formula and its applications
  • Learn how to derive related rates in calculus problems
  • Practice problems involving the calculation of dV/dh and dr/dt in varying geometric contexts
  • Explore advanced calculus topics such as implicit differentiation and optimization techniques
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on related rates and volume calculations, as well as educators seeking examples of geometric applications in calculus.

AndersCarlos
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Homework Statement



Apostol, Vol 1: Section 4.12 Problem 26

Water flows into a hemispherical tank of radius 10 feet (flat side up). At any instant, let h denote the depth of the water, measured from the bottom, r the radius of the surface of the water, and V the volume of the water in the tank. Compute dV/dh at the instant when h=5 feet. If the water flows in at a constant rate of 5√3 cubic feet per second, compute dr/dt, the rate at which r is changing, at the instant t when h=5 feet.


Homework Equations



Hemispherical Volume: [2π(r^3)]/3

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to rewrite the volume in terms of h. If we consider the circle equation, its possible to say that the radius of the water volume is: r' = √[100 - (h^2)], where 100 is the radius of the tank squared and h is the height. So, we can rearrange the volume formula to: V = {2π{[100 - (h^2)]^3/2}}/3, if we derive this with respect to h, we can find: dV/dh = -2πh√[100 - (h^2)], if we change h for 5, it gives that dV/dh = -10π√75. However, according to the answers at the end, the correct answer would be 75. Sorry if I made any mistakes. I would really appreciate any tip, correction or solution. Thank you.
 
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AndersCarlos said:

Homework Statement



Apostol, Vol 1: Section 4.12 Problem 26

Water flows into a hemispherical tank of radius 10 feet (flat side up). At any instant, let h denote the depth of the water, measured from the bottom, r the radius of the surface of the water, and V the volume of the water in the tank. Compute dV/dh at the instant when h=5 feet. If the water flows in at a constant rate of 5√3 cubic feet per second, compute dr/dt, the rate at which r is changing, at the instant t when h=5 feet.


Homework Equations



Hemispherical Volume: [2π(r^3)]/3

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to rewrite the volume in terms of h. If we consider the circle equation, its possible to say that the radius of the water volume is: r' = √[100 - (h^2)], where 100 is the radius of the tank squared and h is the height. So, we can rearrange the volume formula to: V = {2π{[100 - (h^2)]^3/2}}/3, if we derive this with respect to h, we can find: dV/dh = -2πh√[100 - (h^2)], if we change h for 5, it gives that dV/dh = -10π√75. However, according to the answers at the end, the correct answer would be 75. Sorry if I made any mistakes. I would really appreciate any tip, correction or solution. Thank you.

..."If we consider the circle equation, its possible to say that the radius of the water volume is: r' = √[100 - (h^2)], where 100 is the radius of the tank squared and h is the height."​
This is not a hemisphere when r' < r .
 
So I would have to consider the spherical cap volume formula instead of hemispherical one?
 
AndersCarlos said:
So I would have to consider the spherical cap volume formula instead of hemispherical one?
Yes.
 
I was able to achieve the correct result in first part. Thank you very much. Also, I made a little mistake, and r and r' are the same thing. Although I got the right answer using spherical cap formulas.
However, when I got into the second part, I've got another problems. It asks for dr/dt. It says that dV/dt equals 5√3. I take dV/dt and rewrite it as (dV/dr)*(dr/dt). V = (π/6)*h*(3(r^2) + h^2). So I try to rewrite it in terms of 'r', using the formula: 10 = (r^2 + h^2)/2h, where 10 is the radius of the tank. I solve this equation for 'h', using quadratic formula e substitute 'h' in the volume formula for 'r'. The derivative was very long and even solving it, the result was not correct.
 
SammyS:
After some searching, looking for spherical cap's formulas, I was able to derive the correct answer. Thank you very much again.
 
AndersCarlos said:
SammyS:
After some searching, looking for spherical cap's formulas, I was able to derive the correct answer. Thank you very much again.
You're welcome.

I'm glad you found the answer.
 

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