Velocity of a liquid leaving a tank with an angle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a closed tank containing a liquid and gas, with a small hole at a distance H below the liquid's surface. A tube is inserted at an angle α, and the question is about determining how high the liquid will rise over the orifice based on H and α.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial velocity of the liquid as it exits the tank and the implications of the angle α on the height of the liquid. There are attempts to apply conservation of energy and trajectory analysis to find the height, with some participants expressing uncertainty about how to separate horizontal and vertical components of motion.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to approach the problem, including trajectory analysis and energy conservation. Some participants offer guidance on considering vertical and horizontal components, while others express caution about the assumptions being made. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify the problem without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential limitation that the height cannot exceed H, and there is a recognition of the complexity introduced by the angle α. The absence of explicit equations or methods in the original problem statement adds to the challenge of finding a solution.

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Homework Statement


A closed tank contains a liquid of density [tex]\rho[/tex] and a gas (over the liquid) at a pressure [tex]P[/tex]. Suppose there's a little hole (much smaller than the cross section of the tank so that when the liquid flows by the hole, the height of the liquid doesn't change with time) in the tank at a distance [tex]H[/tex] under the liquid' surface. Now suppose I plug a small tube (at the orifice) forming an angle [tex]\alpha[/tex] over the horizontal. How high will the liquid goes over the orifice, in terms of [tex]H[/tex] and [tex]\alpha[/tex]?


Homework Equations


None given.


The Attempt at a Solution


I've calculated the velocity of which the liquid leaves the tank : [tex]v=\sqrt{2 \left [ \frac{(P-P_{\text{atm}})}{\rho}+gH \right ] }[/tex].
Now how do I continue? I've tried something with conservation of energy but I'm sure I made an error since I get [tex]x=\frac{P-P_{\text{atm}}}{\rho g}+H[/tex] which doesn't depend on [tex]\alpha[/tex] as requested. I also notice that the height cannot be larger than [tex]H[/tex]! So my result is wrong.
I'd like to have some guidance, like "Consider a small element [tex]dr[/tex] and check out its velocity" or so.
Thanks.
 
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That formula seems to give the height for the case when it is shot straight up.
To get the height in the angular case, won't you have to do a horizontal and vertical trajectory solution? As if a particle of the liquid is launched at the initial speed you found.
 
Delphi51 said:
That formula seems to give the height for the case when it is shot straight up.
To get the height in the angular case, won't you have to do a horizontal and vertical trajectory solution? As if a particle of the liquid is launched at the initial speed you found.
Ah thanks a lot!
 
So the answer would be [tex]v'=\sin (\alpha ) \cdot v=\sqrt{2 \left [ \frac{(P-P_{\text{atm}})}{\rho}+gH \right ] }[/tex] for the speed in the vertical axis and it remains to apply the conservation of energy, namely that [tex]\frac{mv'^2}{2}=mgx[/tex] and get [tex]x[/tex]?
 
I'm wary of using energy - not sure how energy splits between horizontal and vertical! Say you have a whole velocity of v, vertical component u = v*sinα. Then gravity will reduce the vertical speed to zero according to 0 = u-gt so t = u/g.
The distance traveled vertically in this time is
h = ut - .5*g*t² = u²/g -.5*u²/g = .5u²/g.
Ah, that is the same answer you got with energy.
 
Delphi51 said:
I'm wary of using energy - not sure how energy splits between horizontal and vertical! Say you have a whole velocity of v, vertical component u = v*sinα. Then gravity will reduce the vertical speed to zero according to 0 = u-gt so t = u/g.
The distance traveled vertically in this time is
h = ut - .5*g*t² = u²/g -.5*u²/g = .5u²/g.
Ah, that is the same answer you got with energy.

I appreciate very much your time and effort.
Problem solved then. Thank you.
 

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