What is the speed and pressure of water exiting a cylindrical tunnel in a dam?

  • Thread starter Thread starter chawkdee
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a cylindrical water tunnel through a dam, with specific parameters regarding the tunnel's dimensions and the depths of water at both ends. The original poster seeks to determine the speed of water exiting the tunnel and the absolute pressure at the entrance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of water speed using gravitational potential energy and question the assumptions regarding pressure at the entrance and exit of the tunnel. There are inquiries about the relevance of specific gravity and the correct application of hydrostatic pressure formulas.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on calculating pressures and velocities, while others are exploring different interpretations of the problem setup. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions regarding atmospheric pressure and the conditions at the tunnel's entrance.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of explicit values for density and the implications of the tunnel being open to the air at one end. There is also mention of potential confusion regarding units of measurement in pressure calculations.

chawkdee
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A cylindrical water tunnel runs through a dam. The entrance to the tunnel has a radius of 1.30m and is located at a depth of 22.0m below the surface of the water. The other end of the tunnel has a radius of 0.840m., is 46.0m below the water's surface, and is open to the air.
a) What is the speed of the water when it exits the tunnel?
b) Determine the absolute pressure of of the water just after it enters the tunnel


Homework Equations

v=Sq Rt (2gh)

P1 + (1/2 x density x v1 squared) + (density x g x h1) = P2 + (1/2 x density x v2 squared)+ (density x g x h2)


The Attempt at a Solution

I really don't know where to start as we don't know the velocity at the entrance.

v= the square root of 2 x 9.81 x (46-22) = square root 470 = 21.6 m\s

We can ignore density.

But we don't know P1 or P2 so I'm stumped! Please help me understand the question and if I'm using the correct equations.

:smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Let's start with the outlet, it's slightly easier.
The other end of the tunnel has a radius of 0.840m., is 46.0m below the water's surface, and is open to the air.
Can you say anything now about the exit pressure?

Now the inlet. There is a critical piece of information that you're only thinking of in one way.
A cylindrical water tunnel runs through a dam. The entrance to the tunnel has a radius of 1.30m and is located at a depth of 22.0m below the surface of the water.
anything? ;)
 
Minger, thanks for your time.

Firstly, id the speed correct?
v= the square root of 2 x 9.81 x (46-22) = square root 470 = 21.6 m\s

The exit pressure:-

pressure of liquid = specific gravity of liquid x height of liquid xgravitational acceleration

sp gravity of water=1

h=46m

g=9.8

p=1 x 9.8 x 46

p= 450 ?
 
A cylindrical water tunnel runs through a dam. The entrance to the tunnel has a radius of 1.30m and is located at a depth of 22.0m below the surface of the water.

I can't figure out how I can find the Pressure if it is not open to the air.
 
First of all, let's look at your calculation. Specific gravity is dimensionless as it's merely a ratio. So, we have
p = (1)(46 m)\left(9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}\right)
This gets us:
p = 450 \frac{m^2}{s^2}
I don't know where you come from, but m2/s2 is NOT a unit of pressure. First rule of engineering/physics/etc: UNITS UNITS UNITS!

Had you written that out, you would see that the proper formula for hydrostatic pressure is:
p = \rho g h
Density, not specific gravity.

Now, at the outlet, the fluid releases to the atmosphere. That probably means atmospheric pressure, or 0 psig (gauge pressure). At the inlet, you can use the hydrostatic pressure formula I provided. With this, you have both elevations and pressures at both the inlet and outlet. At the velocity you can simply assume that the fluid is at rest since it's coming from basically a resevoir.

This leaves only outlet velocity to calculate for.
 
P1 + (1/2 x density x v1 squared) + (density x g x h1) = P2 + (1/2 x density x v2 squared)+ (density x g x h2)
So P2 is atmospheric pressure = 1 x 10*3 Pa
(density x g x h2)= 1x10*3 x 9.8 x 46 (do we need the 46 if it's open to the air?)
(density x g x h1)= 1x10*3 x 9.8 x 22
v1=0


If the above are correct, I can do it - thanks a lot!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
11K