Question

Figure shows two sections of an old pipe system that runs through a hill, with distances ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathbf{A}}\mathbf{=}{\mathit{d}}_{\mathbf{B}}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{30}\mathbf{}\mathbf{m}$and D=110 m. On each side of the hill, the pipe radius is 2.00 cm. However, the radius of the pipe inside the hill is no longer known. To determine it, hydraulic engineers first establish that water flows through the left and right sections at 2.50 m/s. Then they release a dye in the water at point A and find that it takes 88.8 sto reach point B.

What is the average radius of the pipe within the hill?

Short answer

The average radius of the pipe within the hill is$0.036\mathrm{m}\mathrm{or}3.6\mathrm{cm}$

Step-by-step solution

The given data

1. The distance of section A and B,$d_a\left(=d_b\right)=30m$
2. The total distance, D=110 m
3. The radius of pipe outside hill section is $r_A\left(=r_B\right)=2cmor0.02m$
4. The speed of water through A and B section, v=2.5 m/s
5. The time required for a dye to reach point B from point A, t=88.8 s

Understanding the concept of continuity equation

We can find the speed of water through the hill section from the time required for the water to travel through the hill. Then using the continuity equation, we can find the average radius of the pipe within the hill.

Formulae:

The continuity equation at two ends of a liquid flowing, $A_1{v}_1=A_2{v}_2$ (i)

where, A₁, v₁ and A₂,v₂ are the cross-sectional area and velocity of two ends 1& 2

Area of circular cross-section, $A={\mathrm{\pi r}}^2$ (ii)

Calculation of average radius of pipe

We know that the water flows through section A and B with speed 2.5 m/s.

So, the time required for the water to cover those sections is given by:

$\begin{array}{l}t=\frac{d_A+d_B}{v}\\ =\frac{60}{2.5}\\ =24s\end{array}$

So, 88.8-24=64.8 s is the time required for water to travel through the hill.

So, the speed of water through hill section is given by

$$\begin{gathered} v_h=\frac{d_h}{64.8} \\ =\frac{110-60}{64.8} \\ =0.772m/s \end{gathered}$$

Now, using equation (i), we get

$A_h=\frac{A_1{v}_1}{v_h}$

As from equation (iii), we know$A={\mathrm{\pi r}}^2$

Hence, substituting the values, we get

$$\begin{gathered} r_h^2=\frac{r_1^2\times v_1}{v_h} \\ =\frac{0.{02}^2\times 2.5}{0.772} \\ {r}_h=\sqrt{\frac{0.{02}^2\times 2.5}{0.772}} \\ =0.036m \end{gathered}$$

Therefore, the radius of the pipe in the hill section is 0.036 m or 3.6 cm.