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

CH
Answered by Catherine H. Physics tutor

5756 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Give an example of 3 different types of radiation stating their make up, penetration and ionising effect.


The flow of water in a pipe is turbulent. Define turbulent flow.


A 0.20 kg mass is whirled round in a vertical circle on the end of a light string of length 0.90 m. At the top point of the circle the speed of the mass is 8.2 m/s. What is the tension in the string at this point?


If one proton is travelling through space at 0.3c, what is it's kinetic energy in MeV?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning