How much work is required to pump all of the water to the top?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work required to pump water from a vessel filled to a depth of 1 foot. The problem involves concepts from physics related to work, pressure, and volume, specifically in the context of fluid mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive an integral expression for work based on the weight of water and its volume. Some participants question the correctness of the original poster's calculations and suggest considering the height each layer of water must be lifted.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the setup of the problem and the calculations involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the lifting height of water layers, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or solution at this point.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a final solution that differs from the original poster's work, indicating potential misunderstandings or miscalculations in the initial approach. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their work, which has led to further inquiry.

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Consider the vessel. It is filled to a depth of 1 foot of water. Write an integral in terms of y (the distance from the bottom) for the work required to pump all the water to the top of the vessel. Water weights 62.4 lbs/ft3.

Relevant Equations
W = ∫F dx
Pressure = density * g * depth
F = Pressure * V

Attempt

P = 62.4 * 9.8 * y = 611.52y

Based on similar triangles, I was able to get a width of (3/2)y. Thus, the volume becomes:

V = 5*(3/2)y*Δy = 7.5yΔy

So the force is F = (611.52y)(7.5y)Δy

I stopped here because I wasn't sure about my work. Any help?
 
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Yes, what you have done so far is correct. It would have been better to continue with what you think is correct rather than wait until someone confirms that.

And don't expect someone to respond within 30 minutes. If you continue to "bump" so soon, you may be banned from this forum.
 
HallsofIvy, the answer I have is actually incorrect based on the final solution offered, which is:

\int_0^1 5(\frac{3}{2}y)(62.4)(2-y)dy

Obviously, my solution does not match this one, which is why I stopped at the force and decided to post here.
 
Last edited:
Think about how high you need to lift (pump) each layer of water. The incremental work is the weight (a force) of a typical layer of water times the distance it has to be lifted.
 
Awesome explanation Mark. Very concise and, perhaps more importantly, easy to understand. I truly appreciate it. Thank you!
 

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