Math Problem Statement

A trough is filled with a liquid of density 815 kg/m3. The ends of the trough are equilateral triangles with sides 6 m long and vertex at the bottom. Find the hydrostatic force (in N) on one end of the trough. (Use 9.8 m/s2 for the acceleration due to gravity.)

Solution

To determine the hydrostatic force on one end of the trough, we will follow these steps:


Step 1: Understand the Geometry

The end of the trough is an equilateral triangle with a side length of 6m6 \, \text{m}. The vertex is at the bottom.

  • The height hh of the equilateral triangle can be calculated using the formula: h=32sh = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot s where ss is the side length.

    Substituting s=6ms = 6 \, \text{m}: h=326=33m5.196m.h = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot 6 = 3\sqrt{3} \, \text{m} \approx 5.196 \, \text{m}.

Step 2: Pressure as a Function of Depth

The hydrostatic pressure at a depth yy is given by: P(y)=ρgyP(y) = \rho g y where:

  • ρ=815kg/m3\rho = 815 \, \text{kg/m}^3 (density of the liquid),
  • g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 (acceleration due to gravity),
  • yy is the depth from the surface.

Step 3: Area Element of the Triangle

At depth yy, the width of the triangle w(y)w(y) is proportional to yy, since the triangle is equilateral. The proportionality can be determined from the geometry: w(y)=shy=633y=23y.w(y) = \frac{s}{h} \cdot y = \frac{6}{3\sqrt{3}} \cdot y = \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot y.

The area of a thin horizontal strip at depth yy is: Area=w(y)dy=(23y)dy.\text{Area} = w(y) \, dy = \left(\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} y\right) dy.

Step 4: Hydrostatic Force on the Strip

The force on the strip is: dF=P(y)Area=ρgy(23ydy).dF = P(y) \cdot \text{Area} = \rho g y \cdot \left(\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} y \, dy\right).

Simplify: dF=ρg23y2dy.dF = \rho g \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} y^2 \, dy.

Step 5: Integrate Over the Depth

The total force is obtained by integrating from y=0y = 0 (vertex of the triangle) to y=hy = h (top of the triangle): F=0hρg23y2dy.F = \int_0^h \rho g \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} y^2 \, dy.

Substitute the known values (ρ=815kg/m3\rho = 815 \, \text{kg/m}^3, g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2, h=33h = 3\sqrt{3}): F=238159.8033y2dy.F = \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot 815 \cdot 9.8 \int_0^{3\sqrt{3}} y^2 \, dy.

The integral of y2y^2 is: y2dy=y33.\int y^2 \, dy = \frac{y^3}{3}.

Evaluate: 033y2dy=(33)33033=27333=273.\int_0^{3\sqrt{3}} y^2 \, dy = \frac{(3\sqrt{3})^3}{3} - \frac{0^3}{3} = \frac{27 \cdot 3\sqrt{3}}{3} = 27\sqrt{3}.

Now substitute back: F=238159.8273.F = \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot 815 \cdot 9.8 \cdot 27\sqrt{3}.

Simplify: F=28159.827=431874N.F = 2 \cdot 815 \cdot 9.8 \cdot 27 = 431874 \, \text{N}.


Final Answer:

The hydrostatic force on one end of the trough is: 431,874N\boxed{431,874 \, \text{N}}


Do you want further explanation or have questions?
Here are 5 related questions for deeper understanding:

  1. How does the shape of the submerged surface affect hydrostatic force calculations?
  2. What role does the density of the liquid play in determining hydrostatic pressure?
  3. How would the force change if the liquid had a density of 1000 kg/m³ (water)?
  4. What happens to the force if the trough is tilted, making the triangle no longer vertical?
  5. How can the hydrostatic force be experimentally measured?

Tip: Always ensure to use consistent units when calculating forces involving pressure and density!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Hydrostatics
Geometry
Integration

Formulas

Pressure = ρgy
Area of triangle = (base × height)/2
Hydrostatic force = ∫(Pressure × Area Element)

Theorems

Principle of Hydrostatics
Geometric Proportionality

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12