Rate of Increase in Water Level Due to Falling Cone in Cylinder

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the rate of increase in water level in a cylinder due to an inverted cone falling into it. The cone has a base radius of R/2 and falls at a constant speed of 30 cm/s. The participants debate the correct rate of increase, with the given answer being 2 cm/s, while some argue it should be 1.875 cm/s based on the cone's geometry and the relationship between the submerged volume and the water level. The correct approach involves differentiating the volume equations of the cone and cylinder accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically differentiation of volume equations
  • Familiarity with geometric properties of cones and cylinders
  • Knowledge of fluid dynamics principles related to submerged objects
  • Ability to apply the chain rule in related rates problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between submerged volume and water level changes in fluid mechanics
  • Learn about related rates in calculus, focusing on applications in geometry
  • Explore the derivation of volume formulas for cones and cylinders
  • Investigate the impact of varying speeds of falling objects on fluid displacement
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Students studying calculus and fluid mechanics, educators teaching related rates problems, and anyone interested in the dynamics of fluid displacement caused by submerged objects.

Priyadarshi Raj
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Homework Statement


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A cylinder of radius ##{R}## is partially filled with water. There is an inverted cone of cone angle 90° and base radius ##{\frac{R}{2}}## which is falling in it with a constant speed ##v=30~cm/s##.
Find the rate of increase of water level (in ##cm/s##) when half the height of cone is immersed in water.

The given answer is: ##2~cm/s##

Homework Equations


Let the height of the cone be h, and height of cylinder be H
Volume of cone ## = \frac{1}{3}\pi (\frac{R}{2})^2 h = \frac{1}{12} \pi R^2 h##
Volume of cylinder = ##\pi R^2 H##

The Attempt at a Solution


Now for the cone ##\frac{dh}{dt}=v=30~cm/s##

Let the increase in cylinder's water level be ##dH## when ##dV## of cone's volume is immersed in it.
So
##dV = \pi R^2 dH##

⇒ ## \frac{dH}{dt} = \frac{\frac{dV}{dt}}{\pi R^2}##

⇒ ## \frac{dH}{dt} = \frac{\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{1}{12} \pi R^2 h)}{\pi R^2}##

⇒ ## \frac{dH}{dt} = \frac{\frac{1}{12} \pi R^2~\frac{dh}{dt}}{\pi R^2}##

⇒ ## \frac{dH}{dt} = \frac{1}{12} × 30 = 2.5~cm/s##

Please help.
Thank you.
 
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Volume of the part of the cone that is immersed depends on h in a way that differs from what you use... The r of that part of the cone is dependent on h...
 
@BvU ,@Chestermiller ,do you agree with the given answer 2 cm/s ? I believe it is incorrect . It should be 1.875 cm/s .

2cm/s would have been correct if the cone was falling at the speed of 32 cm/s .
 
Last edited:
Vibhor said:
@BvU ,@Chestermiller ,do you agree with the given answer 2 cm/s ? I believe it is incorrect . It should be 1.875 cm/s .

2cm/s would have been correct if the cone was falling at the speed of 32 cm/s .
I get 2 cm/s.

Let z be the distance between the tip of the cone and the bottom of the cylinder, and let h(z) be the distance between the water surface and the bottom of the cylinder. Then the amount of cone submerged is h - z, and the volume of cone submerged is $$V_s=\frac{\pi (h-z)^3}{3}$$. The total volume of water and cone below the water surface is ##\pi R^2h##, and this is also equal to the volume of water Vw plus the submerged volume of cone:

$$V_w+\frac{\pi (h-z)^3}{3}=\pi R^2h$$
Taking the time derivative of this equation gives:
$$(h-z)^2\left(\frac{dh}{dt}-\frac{dz}{dt}\right)=R^2\frac{dh}{dt}$$
 
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Hi ,

Thanks for replying.

Let y be the distance between the tip of the cone and the water surface, and let h be the distance between the water surface and the bottom of the cylinder.

$$V_w =\pi R^2h - \frac{\pi y^3}{3}$$

Taking the time derivative of this equation gives: $$R^2\frac{dh}{dt} = y^2\frac{dy}{dt}$$ .

When ##y=\frac{R}{4}## , ##\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{30}{16}##

What is the mistake ?
 
Vibhor said:
Hi ,

Thanks for replying.

Let y be the distance between the tip of the cone and the water surface, and let h be the distance between the water surface and the bottom of the cylinder.

$$V_w =\pi R^2h - \frac{\pi y^3}{3}$$

Taking the time derivative of this equation gives: $$R^2\frac{dh}{dt} = y^2\frac{dy}{dt}$$ .

When ##y=\frac{R}{4}## , ##\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{30}{16}##

What is the mistake ?
The downward velocity of the cone is not dy/dt. It is (dy/dt)-(dh/dt).
 
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Chestermiller said:
The downward velocity of the cone is not dy/dt. It is (dy/dt)-(dh/dt).
:doh:

Thanks a lot :smile:
 

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