Solving the Fluids Straw Problem: Compute Water Fraction in Ideal Gas Model

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the Fluids Straw Problem, which involves calculating the water fraction in a 20.0 cm straw filled with 95.0% water when drawn out of a glass. The relevant equations include hydrostatic pressure equations, specifically B = ρgV and the Bernoulli equation. The problem is framed as a hydrostatics issue rather than a buoyancy problem, emphasizing the need to analyze pressure changes in the air trapped in the straw before and after extraction. Key insights include understanding the pressure differential and the behavior of the water surface inside the straw during the process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrostatic pressure principles
  • Familiarity with Bernoulli's equation
  • Knowledge of ideal gas behavior
  • Basic grasp of fluid mechanics concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study hydrostatic pressure calculations in fluid mechanics
  • Learn about the applications of Bernoulli's equation in real-world scenarios
  • Explore the ideal gas law and its implications in fluid dynamics
  • Investigate the effects of pressure differentials in fluid systems
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on fluid mechanics, as well as engineers and researchers dealing with hydrostatics and gas behavior in confined spaces.

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Homework Statement


This problem pertains to the drinking straw trick. You decide to place your finger over a 20.0cm straw. 95.0% of the straw is filled with water, while the top is full of air. Treating the straw as an ideal gas, compute fraction of the straw that is filled with water when the straw is drawn out of the glass.

Homework Equations


B = \rho gV
P_1 + \frac{1}{2}\rho v_1^2 + \rho g h_1 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2}\rho v_2^2 + \rho g h_2

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not really sure how to start this, but I am pretty sure I have to do something with the pressure of the straw. The atmospheric pressure is equal to 101325 Pa, and the pressure at the bottom of the straw should be Patm + rho*g*h, so there is a pressure differential. If 95% of the straw is filled with water, does that mean that the water contributes to 95% of the buoyant force of the straw while air contributes 5%? I have these ideas but I am not too sure how to apply them to proceed with this problem
 
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This is not a buoyancy problem. It is a hyrostatics problem. Initially, 95% of the straw is below the water surface, i.e., 19 cm. There is 1 cm of straw sticking out above the water surface. You put your finger over the top of the straw, and take the straw out of the water.

What is the pressure in the air trapped in the straw before you take the straw out of the water? After you take the straw out of the water, the water surface inside the straw moves down a little, and a small amount of water leaks out the bottom. You need to determine the new pressure in the air head space, and how much the water surface inside the straw moves down.

Chet
 

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