The speed of water moving through a turbine is 2.5 m/s. Show that the mass of water passing through an area of 500 metres squared in one second is about 1 x 10^6 kg (density of sea water = 1030 kg/m^3)

This is a past exam question from an A level paper for OCR Physics B.We know that in one second, a volume of water (V), travelling at 2.5 m/s is passing through an area of 500 metres squared in one second. This volume can be represented as a column, with the cross section (area at the front) equal to the area the water is passing through, so 500 metres squared. Since we know that v=s/t, we can rearrange this to get s=vt meaning that in one second, all the water molecules travel v.t metres of 2.5 x 1 = 2.5 metres. This gives us our bottom side for our column, giving us a total volume of V=Al = 500 x 2.5 = 1250 metres cubed.So we now have the volume (V) and the density (ρ) but want to find the mass (m) which are all linked in the equation ρ=m/V which when rearranged gives m=ρV giving us an answer of m=1030 x 1250 = 1,287,500 kg which we can say is roughly equal to 1 x 10^6 kg

Answered by Catherine H. Physics tutor

4976 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What do you understand by simple harmonic motion?


A ball is initially at rest and is dropped from a height of 10m. Calculate the velocity of the ball when it reaches the ground


What is the difference between an elastic and inelastic collision


If the force between two point charges of charge 'Q1' and 'Q2' which are a distance 'r' apart is 'F' then what would the force be if the charge of 'Q1' is tripled and the distance between them doubled?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences