Time rate of change of air pressure

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the time rate of change of air pressure in relation to a ship's movement and barometer readings. The problem involves understanding the relationship between air pressure changes due to both spatial and temporal factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of the multivariate chain rule to relate changes in air pressure to time and position. There is an attempt to calculate the time rate of change of air pressure based on given data, with questions about the units of the final answer.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in a mathematical exploration of the problem, with some providing calculations and others questioning the assumptions and units involved. There is an ongoing examination of the relationship between the variables without a clear consensus on the final interpretation.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a constant rate of air pressure change with respect to time, and the need to consider both the spatial rate of change and the ship's velocity in the calculations. The problem is framed within the context of a homework exercise, suggesting constraints on the methods that can be used.

BondKing
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Air pressure decreases at a rate of 2.5 pascals per kilometer in the eastward direction. In addition, the air pressure is increasing at a constant rate with respect to time everywhere. A ship sailing eastward at 10 km/hour past an island takes barometer readings and records a pressure drop of 30 pascals in 2 hours. Estimate the time rate of change of air pressure on the island. (A pascal is a unit of air pressure.)

What is time rate of change of air pressure?

Attempt:

Basically tried everything possible

10 x 2 = 20 km

30 Pa / 2 hrs = 15 Pa / hr

2.5 Pa x 20 km = 50 Pa
 
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This is an exercise in using the multivariate chain rule in the form \frac{dp}{dt} = \frac{\partial p}{\partial t} + \frac{\partial p}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dt} where x(t) is the position of the ship. You are trying to find \frac{\partial p}{\partial t} which is stated to be constant.
 
-15 = ∂p/∂t + (-2.5)(10) ?
Is the unit for the answer Pa/hr?
 
BondKing said:
-15 = ∂p/∂t + (-2.5)(10) ?
Is the unit for the answer Pa/hr?
Yes
 

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