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Ch 09: Work and Kinetic Energy
Chapter 9, Problem 9

The energy used to pump liquids and gases through pipes is a significant fraction of the total energy consumption in the United States. Consider a small volume V of a liquid that has density p. Assume that the fluid is nonviscous so that friction with the pipe walls can be neglected. (a) An upward-pushing force from a pump lifts this volume of fluid a height h at constant speed. How much work does the pump do?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Work

In physics, work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which that force is applied, in the direction of the force. Mathematically, it is expressed as W = F × d × cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. In this scenario, the work done by the pump is the force exerted to lift the fluid multiplied by the height it is lifted.
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Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. It is calculated using the formula P = pgh, where P is the pressure, p is the fluid density, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the fluid column. Understanding hydrostatic pressure is essential for determining the force required by the pump to lift the fluid against gravity.
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Nonviscous Fluid

A nonviscous fluid is an idealized fluid that has no internal friction or viscosity, meaning it flows without resistance. This assumption simplifies calculations in fluid dynamics, as it allows us to neglect energy losses due to friction with the pipe walls. In the context of the question, treating the fluid as nonviscous means that the only work done by the pump is against the gravitational force acting on the fluid.
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