What is the Minimum Power Required to Lift Sand at a Quarry?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum power required to lift 2,000 kg of sand at a quarry. The sand is lifted vertically 12 meters and discharged at a speed of 5 m/s. The total work done includes both the potential energy gained from lifting and the kinetic energy from the discharge speed, resulting in a total work of 260 kJ. This leads to a calculated power requirement of approximately 4.34 kW. Clarifications on the relationship between vertical lifting speed and discharge speed are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mechanics involved.
odie5533
Messages
58
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A sand mover at a quarry lifts 2,000kg of sand per minute a vertical distance of 12 meters. The sand is initially at rest and is discharged at the top of a sand mover with speed 5m/s into a loading chute. At what minimum rate must power be supplied to this machine?
A) 524w B) 1.13kw C) 4.34kw D) 3.92kw E) 6.65kw

The Attempt at a Solution


W_{MS} = \frac{1}{2}mv_{f}^2 - \frac{1}{2}mv_{0}^2
W_{MS} = \frac{1}{2}(2000)(5)^2 - \frac{1}{2}(2000)(0)_{0}^2
W_{MS} = 25000J

There wasn't a picture, and I get kinda lost after this point.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You will definitely need to draw diagram. Is that the total amount of work that the sand mover does?

Hint *how did the sand get up there in the first place*
 
W_{MS} is the Work of the Mover on the Sand.

A Force moved it up.
\sum F = F_{MS} - F_{w}
F_{w} = mg = (2000kg)(g) = 19613.3N
\sum F = F_{MS} + (-19613.3N)
W_{total} = Fd = F_{MS}d + (-19613.3N)d
W_{total} = 25000J From last post
25000J = d(F_{MS} + (-19613.3N))
d = 12m given
2083 = F_{MS} + (-19613.3N)
F_{MS} = 21696N

I'm lost =/
 
Here's my second try:
weight = w = mg = 2000 * g

Work of the Weight of the Sand
W_{WS} = wd = (g)(2000)(12) = 2.35 x 10^5 J/min

Work of the Mover on the Sand:
W_{MS} = \frac{1}{2}mv_{f}^2 = \frac{1}{2}(2000)(5^2) = 2.5 x 10^4 J/min

P_{k} = \frac{2.5 x 10^4}{60 s} = 416.7 W
P_{grav} = \frac{2.35 x 10^5}{60 s} = 3924 W
P_{total} = 4.34 kw

It seems wrong still. The mover moves 2000kg of sand 12m in 60 seconds, or 0.2m/s. How can it also move at 5m/s?
 
Work is change in energy. So calculate the initial energy the sand has (zero), and subtract it from the total energy it has in the end, it will have both kinetc and potential energy. Then you have the work. Then power is just rate of work.
 
Another attempt:
W_{total} = K_{f} + PE - K_{0}

K_{0} = \frac{1}{2}mv_{0}^2
K_{0} = \frac{1}{2}(2000)(0)^2 = 0

K_{f} = \frac{1}{2}mv_{f}^2
K_{f} = \frac{1}{2}(2000)(5)^2 = 25 kJ

PE = mgh = (2000)(9.8)(12) = 235 kJ

W_{total} = K_{f} + PE - K_{0} = 25 + 235 - 0 = 260 kJ

P_{total} = \frac{W_{total}}{time} = \frac{260 kJ}{60 s} = 4.33 kw

Same answer as before, except this time it made a bit more sense in my mind. I still don't understand how the sand can go 5m/s at the top, but travels at 12m/min...
 
Last edited:
Your working out looks fine, and I expect the answer to be correct.
The key is that it is being lifted VERTICALLY at 12m/min. If the sand is being lifted at an agle to the horizontal (not equal to 90 degrees), then it will have a horizontal speed at the end, ie. the 5m/s. In fact, you can work out what this angle should be.
 
Back
Top