Caculation of force exerted by water

In summary, the conversation is about calculating the force exerted on a leg while standing in a river. The formulas F=ma and F=mv/t are mentioned, and the person standing in the river provides their measurements and questions about the force exerted over different time intervals. The expert suggests using the drag equation and approximating the leg as a cylinder.
  • #1
sadowski777
6
0
Hi,

I was standing in a river and I'm curious how much force it was exerting on my leg. I'm not sure how to do this calculation. Here's what I know:

F=ma
if the final velocity is zero, F=mv/t

I'll assuming I was standing in 1ft of water, my leg is 36in^2, and the water is traveling at 4mph.

It doesn't make sense that the force exerted over 2 seconds would be different then the force exerted over 4 seconds.

Any suggestions or help?

Thanks
 
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  • #3
Excellent. Thank you very much.
 

FAQ: Caculation of force exerted by water

What is the formula for calculating the force exerted by water?

The formula for calculating the force exerted by water is F = ρghA, where F is the force (in Newtons), ρ is the density of water (in kg/m³), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²), h is the height of the water (in meters), and A is the area of the surface the water is exerting force on (in square meters).

How do you calculate the density of water?

The density of water is typically given as 1000 kg/m³ at standard temperature and pressure. However, this value can also be calculated using the formula ρ = m/V, where ρ is density, m is mass (in kg), and V is volume (in m³).

Why is the acceleration due to gravity used in the formula for calculating force?

The acceleration due to gravity is used in the formula because it represents the force of Earth's gravity pulling on the water. This is a constant value and plays a significant role in determining the force exerted by the water.

How does the height of the water affect the force exerted?

The height of the water directly affects the force exerted because it is a factor in the formula for calculating force (F = ρghA). The greater the height of the water, the greater the force exerted.

Can this formula be used for any body of water?

Yes, this formula can be used for any body of water as long as the necessary variables (ρ, g, h, and A) are known. However, it should be noted that this formula assumes the water is still and not in motion, as the force exerted by moving water would require additional calculations.

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