Power drawn by a water pump to project water through nozzle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the power required by a water pump to project water through a nozzle, specifically referencing Problem 10.27 from the Feynman Lectures on Physics. Key equations used include the kinematic equation for vertical motion, pressure difference calculation using \(P = x \rho g\), and force determination via \(F = PA\). The participant's calculations yielded a power output of \(2.77 \, \text{kW}\), which was significantly lower than the expected \(25 \, \text{kW}\) from the textbook, indicating a miscalculation in accounting for the kinetic energy required to lift the water.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematic equations, specifically \(v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 a S\)
  • Knowledge of fluid mechanics, particularly pressure calculations \(P = x \rho g\)
  • Familiarity with force calculations using \(F = PA\)
  • Basic principles of energy and power, including \(Q = Fv\)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between power and energy in fluid dynamics
  • Learn about the efficiency of pumps and how to calculate actual power consumption
  • Explore the implications of kinetic energy in fluid motion
  • Investigate the effects of different nozzle designs on pump performance
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and fluid mechanics who are involved in pump design, water management, or energy calculations related to fluid systems.

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Homework Statement


[/B]
This is problem 10.27 in the Exercises for the Feynman Lectures on Physics, or Problem C-2 in Chapter 10 of Leighton and Vogt's Exercises in Introductory Physics.

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Homework Equations



Using ##v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 a S## for the water in the vertical direction, we can find the initial velocity ##v_i## of the water. ##v_f## is the final velocity, ##a## is the acceleration (or in this case the deceleration), ##S## is the distance traveled.

I can use ##P = x \rho g## to find the pressure difference the pump has to overcome, where ##x## is the height the water has to climb, ##\rho## is the density of water, and ##g## is the gravitational field.

##F = P A## to find the force necessary, where ##A## is the cross sectional area of the nozzle.

##Q = F v## to find the rate of work done on the water, where ##v## is the velocity of the water.

Then I can divide by 60% to find the actual power consumption of the motor.

The Attempt at a Solution



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The initial vertical velocity is ##v_i = v \sin(30^{\circ}) = v/2##. The vertical velocity at the apex is 0. Acceleration is ##-g##. Vertical distance is ##h##. Therefore,
$$0 = \left( \frac v 2 \right) ^2 - 2\ g\ h
\\v = \sqrt{8\ g\ h}$$
So I can find the velocity ##v## of the water. To find the pressure difference,
$$P = x\ \rho\ g$$
To find the force,
$$F = P\ A = x\ \rho\ g\ A$$
To find the power expended on the water,
$$Q = F\ v = x\ \rho\ g\ A\ \sqrt{8\ g\ h}$$
I'm going to use the following conversion factors.
$$1\ \rm{sq\ in} = 6.45 \times 10^{-4}\ \rm{m^2}
\\1\ \rm{ft} = 3.05 \times 10^{-1}\ \rm{m}
\\1\ \rm{lb\ ft^{-3}} = 1.60 \times 10^1 \rm{kg\ m^{-3}}$$
After calculation, I get ##Q = 1.66 \times 10^3 \rm{W}##. After dividing by 60%, I get ##2.77 \times 10^3 \rm{W}##, or ##2.77\rm{kW}##. The answer given in the book is ##25\rm{kW}##. Where did I go wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The pump needs to give the water its kinetic energy as well as lift the water. Rather than relate power to force, it might be easier to relate power to energy.
 

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