The return-air ventilation duct in a home has a cross-sectional area of 900 cm^2. The air in a room that has dimensions 5.0 m x 11.0 m ×x 2.4 m is to be completely circulated in a 50-min cycle.
1) What is the speed of the air in the duct? (Express your answer to two significant figures.)

Respuesta :

To solve the problem it is necessary to apply the concepts related to the flow rate of a fluid.

The flow rate is defined as

[tex]Q = Av[/tex]

Where,

[tex]Q = Discharge (m^3/s)[/tex]

[tex]A = Area (m^2)[/tex]

v = Average speed (m / s)

And also as

[tex]Q = \frac{V}{t}[/tex]

Where,

V = Volume

t = time

Let's start by finding the total volume according to the given dimensions, that is to say

[tex]V = 5*11*2.4[/tex]

[tex]V = 132m^3[/tex]

The entire cycle must be completed in 50 min = 3000s

In this way we know that the [tex]132m ^ 3[/tex] must be filled in 3000s, that is to say that there should be a flow of

[tex]Q = \frac{V}{t}[/tex]

[tex]Q = \frac{132}{3000}[/tex]

[tex]Q = 0.044m^3/s[/tex]

Using the relationship to find the speed we have to

[tex]Q = Av[/tex]

[tex]v = \frac{Q}{A}[/tex]

Replacing with our values,

[tex]v = \frac{0.044}{900*10^{-4}m^2}[/tex]

[tex]v = 0.488m/s[/tex]

Therefore the air speed in the duct must be 4.88m/s