Question:medium

A pump is used to deliver water at a certain rate from a given pipe. To obtain twice the volume of water from the same pipe in the same time, by what factor must the power of the motor pump be increased? Assume ideal conditions.

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For fluid flow through the same pipe, if flow speed becomes \(n\) times, power becomes \(n^3\) times.
  • \(4\)
  • \(8\)
  • \(16\)
  • \(32\)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The problem relates volume flow rate to power for a pump delivering fluid through a fixed pipe.
Twice the volume in the same time means the volume flow rate \(Q\) is doubled.
For a fixed pipe (fixed cross-sectional area \(A\)), the velocity \(v\) of the water must change to accommodate the increased flow.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Volume flow rate \(Q = Av \implies v \propto Q\).
Mass flow rate \(\frac{dm}{dt} = \rho Q = \rho Av \implies \frac{dm}{dt} \propto v\).
Power \(P = \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{1}{2}mv^2) = \frac{1}{2} \left(\frac{dm}{dt}\right) v^2\).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Case 1: Flow rate is \(Q\). Velocity is \(v = Q/A\).
Power \(P_1 = \frac{1}{2} (\rho A v) v^2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho A v^3\).

Case 2: Volume is doubled in same time, so flow rate \(Q' = 2Q\).
Since area \(A\) is constant, new velocity \(v' = Q'/A = 2Q/A = 2v\).

Calculate new power \(P_2\):
\[ P_2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho A (v')^3 \]
\[ P_2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho A (2v)^3 \]
\[ P_2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho A (8v^3) \]
\[ P_2 = 8 \left( \frac{1}{2} \rho A v^3 \right) \]
\[ P_2 = 8 P_1 \]

Thus, power must be increased by a factor of 8.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Doubling the volume flow rate requires the velocity to double, which in turn causes the power requirement to increase by the cube of that factor (\(2^3 = 8\)).
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