How Fast Does Water Rise in a Triangular Trough When Filled?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two related problems involving rates of change in fluid dynamics. The first problem concerns a triangular water trough being filled, while the second involves a conical volcano erupting lava. Participants are exploring how to determine the rates at which the water level and lava volume change over time.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to relate the volume of water in the trough to its height and width, using geometric relationships. There is also a focus on deriving the rate of change of height based on the volume flow rate.
  • In the second problem, participants are discussing the volume of a cone and how to apply similar reasoning to find the rate at which lava is being expelled.
  • Some participants question the interpretation of the volume change, particularly whether it is increasing or decreasing.

Discussion Status

There appears to be a collaborative effort to verify calculations and clarify concepts. Some participants express confidence in their findings, while others seek confirmation and further understanding of the underlying principles. Multiple interpretations of the second problem are being explored, particularly regarding the volume of lava.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, with an emphasis on understanding the relationships between variables rather than simply arriving at a final answer. There is a mention of an upcoming test, indicating a time-sensitive context for the discussion.

Draggu
Messages
101
Reaction score
0
a) 1. Homework Statement
A water trough is 10m long, and a cross section has the shape of an isosceles triangle that is 1m across at the top and 50cm high. The trough is being filled with water at a rate of 0.4m^3/min. How fast is the water level rising when the water is 40cm deep?

b) As a volcano erupts, pouring lava over its slope, it maintains the shape of a cone, with height twice as large as the radius of the base. If the height is increasing at a rate of 0.5 m/s, and all the lava stays on the slopes, at what rate is the lava pouring out of the volcano when the volcano is 50m high?

Homework Equations


h=height
w=width

The Attempt at a Solution


a)
dV/dt = 0.4m^3/min
V=(1/2)hw(10)
=5hw

w/1=h/0.5
w=2h

V=5hw = 5h(2h) = 10h^2

dV/dt=20hh'

0.4 = 20(0.4)h'
0.05=h'

I am almost sure it is correct but I am just looking for a confirmation. I will add units of course later.

b)

h' = 0.5m
r=(h/2)
h=50
v'=?

I think we are searching for the rate the volume decreases..so it would be 981.25m^3/s.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Draggu said:
a) 1. Homework Statement
A water trough is 10m long, and a cross section has the shape of an isosceles triangle that is 1m across at the top and 50cm high. The trough is being filled with water at a rate of 0.4m^3/min. How fast is the water level rising when the water is 40cm deep?

b) As a volcano erupts, pouring lava over its slope, it maintains the shape of a cone, with height twice as large as the radius of the base. If the height is increasing at a rate of 0.5 m/s, and all the lava stays on the slopes, at what rate is the lava pouring out of the volcano when the volcano is 50m high?



Homework Equations


h=height
w=width


The Attempt at a Solution


a)
dV/dt = 0.4m^3/min
V=(1/2)hw(10)
=5hw

w/1=h/0.5
w=2h

V=5hw = 5h(2h) = 10h^2

dV/dt=20hh'

0.4 = 20(0.4)h'
0.05=h'

I am almost sure it is correct but I am just looking for a confirmation. I will add units of course later.

b)

h' = 0.5m
r=(h/2)
h=50
v'=?

I think we are searching for the rate the volume decreases..so it would be 981.25m^3/s.

Can someone please look this over and tell me if I am doing it correctly? I have a test tomorrow.
 
Hi Darggu

yep i think I'm getting the same as you, I find it easier to go through working by leaving numbers out until the end so..

w(h) = 2.h

A(h) = \frac{hw(h)}{2} = h^2

V(h) = A(h).L = L.h^2

\frac{dV(h)}{dt} = 2hL\frac{dh}{dt}

\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{dV}{dt}}\frac{1}{2hL}

i'm not sure what you mean for the 2nd one, you want to do the same method as the first, realte volumtric rate of change to rate of chenge of height

what is the volume of a cone?

Also i don't think the volume is decreasing...
 
Here is my work.

V=(1/3)(pi)(r^2)h
= (1/3)(pi)(h/2)(h)
= (1/12)(pi)(h^3)

V' = (1/4)(pi)(h^2)h'
=(1/4)(pi)(50^2)(0.5)
=981.25

You are right, the volume is not decreasing, it's just shooting that much out every second, or?
 
Draggu said:
Here is my work.

V=(1/3)(pi)(r^2)h
= (1/3)(pi)(h/2)(h)
do you mean
= (1/3)(pi)(h/2)^2(h) ok got it in next line...
Draggu said:
= (1/12)(pi)(h^3)

V' = (1/4)(pi)(h^2)h'
=(1/4)(pi)(50^2)(0.5)
=981.25

You are right, the volume is not decreasing, it's just shooting that much out every second, or?

yeah i think you've got it, looking good
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
13K