Setting up a work problem. pumping gasoline

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a work problem involving the calculation of the work required to pump gasoline from a conical tank. The tank has a height of 10 feet and is buried 5 feet below ground level, leading to questions about the setup and necessary parameters for the calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the method to find the radius of the cone using similar triangles, with some expressing uncertainty about their calculations. Questions are raised about the relationship between the height of the cone and the variable 'y' in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have indicated a need for additional information to proceed, while others are attempting to clarify the geometric relationships involved in setting up the integral for the work calculation.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of missing information regarding the radius of the cone, which is crucial for setting up the integral. Participants are also reflecting on previous similar problems for guidance.

bakin
Messages
55
Reaction score
0
I just have a quick question. I'm supposed to find the work required to pump gas out of a cone, but am having trouble finding the radius of the cone.

The cone measures 10 feet in height. I broke it up and set it up using similar triangles, and this is what I got:
4l5h449.jpg

It doesn't seem right though. And, if it is right, where do I go from there? Any help is appreciated :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
if the height is 10, then y must be the difference from 10, or is that straight from the book?
 
Ok here is the full problem.

Gasoline weighing 42lb/ft(cubed) is contained in a buried conical tank shown below. (above). Set up an appropriate integral, and find the work required to pump all the gas to ground level.

The tank is 5 feet below ground, i just didn't draw it on the diagram.

edit: so do you think it's 10-y ?
 
Because 10 is the height of the cone. I'm trying to find the radius of the cone. I know how to do the pumping problems, but I'm just stuck on how to find the radius that you'll end up plugging into the integral.
 
I don't think I have all the information for the problem. I did a similar problem that gave me the radius of the top of the tank and I was able to do it. I'll check tonight to see if I'm missing something.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K