How much work is required to pump water from a cone-shaped reservoir?

  • Thread starter Thread starter miglo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Work Work done
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to pump water from a cone-shaped reservoir, specifically one that is 20 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep, to a height of 6 feet above the top. The user correctly identifies the volume of the cone and the force required based on the weight of water, which is 62.4 lb/ft³. The integral setup for calculating total work involves adjusting the limits of integration to account for the total height the water must be lifted, which is 14 feet for the bottom layer. The user ultimately realizes the need to correct the limits of integration to accurately compute the work done.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Familiarity with the concept of work in physics
  • Knowledge of volume calculations for geometric shapes, particularly cones
  • Basic understanding of fluid mechanics and density of water
NEXT STEPS
  • Review calculus techniques for setting up and solving integrals
  • Study the principles of work and energy in physics
  • Learn about the properties of geometric shapes and their volumes
  • Explore fluid mechanics concepts, focusing on hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or engineering courses, particularly those studying fluid dynamics and calculus, as well as educators looking for practical examples of work calculations in real-world scenarios.

miglo
Messages
97
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


a reservoir shaped like a right circular cone, point down, 20ft across the top and 8 ft deep, is full of water. how much work does it take to pump the water to a level 6ft above the top?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


so i placed the cone with the point at the origin. then the ΔV= πr^2h
since the cone is 8 ft deep and has a radius of 10 ft, then the slope of the line of the side of the cone is (8/10)x or (4/5)x, so (5/4)y=x, therefore the radius will be (5/4)y
so then ΔV=π(25/16)y^2dy
the force required is then equal to the weight per unit volume*volume and my books says that water is 62.4lb/ft^3 so the force is 62.4(25/16)πy^2dy
then the ΔW=62.4(25/16)πy^2(6-y)dy since were pumping out 6ft of water?
so to calculate the total work i have to calculate 62.4(25/16)π\int_{0}^{8}(6y^2-y^3)dy, but this gives me 0 work done, and i don't see where i went wrong in setting up the integral, but i think it might be the limits of integration or the distance through which the force must act.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
work against gravity to lift mass element dm a height z is g.z.dm where dm = \rho dV

I read the question not that you are pumping out 6' of water but that you are pumping all the water "to a level 6' above the top". Thus the water in the top-most layer is raised 6', and the bit in the point has to be raised 8+6=14'.
 
yeah i realized it was 14 when i was working on it at the school library, but thanks for responding anyways
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K