By means of physiological adaptations that are still not very well understood, s
ID: 1302642 • Letter: B
Question
By means of physiological adaptations that are still not very well understood, sperm whales are thought to be able to hunt for their food at depths of between 390m and 2700m .
What range of gauge pressures (in Pa) do the whales withstand at these depths?
Express your answers using two significant figures separated by a comma.
What range of gauge pressures (in atm) do the whales withstand at these depths?
Express your answers using two significant figures separated by a comma.
Estimate the total inward force of water pressure on the surface of a sperm whale at a depth of 2700m, modeling the whale as a cylinder 16 m long and 4 m in diameter.
Express your answer to one significant figure and include the appropriate units.
Explanation / Answer
gauge pressure at a depth of 390 m = 390*1000*9.81 =3.83*10^6 Pa
gauge pressure at a depth of 2700 m = 2700*1000*9.81 =2.65*10^7 Pa
Hence, range of gauge pressure (in Pa) : 3.83*10^6 , 2.65*10^7
1 atm = 1.013*10^5 Pa
range of gauge pressure (in atm) : 39 , 270
Total Surface area of cylinder = pi*D*L = pi*4*16 = 201.062 m^2
Hence, total inward force of water pressure = 270*1.013*10^5*201.062 = 5.5*10^9 N
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