Find the Volume of Mt. Vesuvius After 79AD in Terms of pi

In summary, the volume of the Mt. Vesuvius volcano in Pompeii after the eruption in 79 AD can be found by subtracting the volume of the part of the volcano that blew off from the total volume of the volcano before the eruption. The volume of the frustum can be calculated using the formula V = (h/3)(A1 + A2 + sqrt(A1A2)), where A1 and A2 are the areas of the base and top of the frustum, and h is the height of the frustum. The error in the previous solution was due to using the incorrect height for the part of the volcano that blew off.
  • #1
ruu
2
0
Mt. Vesuvius in Pompeii was a conic volcano with a height from its base 7950 feet and a base radius of 2300 feet. In 79 AD, the volcano erupted, reducing its height to 4200 feet . Find the volume of the volcano after 79 AD in terms of pi.


WORK:
Volume of Volcano(Before 79AD)= \pi *r^2*h/3
=\pi *(2300)^2 * 7950/3
=5290000\pi * 2650
= 1.4019 * 10^10 * \pi

Volume of Volcano part erupted off:
Height: 7950 ft - 2300 ft = 5650 ft
Radius= 5650 * (2300/7950) = 1634.5912 ft
Volume= \pi *r^2*h/3
= \pi *(1634.5912)^2*5650/3
=2671888.375 \pi * 1896.6667
=5067681707* \pi

Volume of Volcano(After 79AD)= (Volume of Volcano(Before 79AD)) - (Volume of Volcano part erupted off)
=(1.4019 * 10^10 * \pi) - (5067681707* \pi)
= 8951318293* \pi

Note to reader: Please check my work. I'm not sure if my solutions are correct or if i did the problem correctly.
Thank you!
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
We know the radius $r$ of the cone decreases linearly as a function of height $h$, and this linear function contains the two points:

\(\displaystyle (r,h)=(2300,0),\,(0,7950)\)

Thus, using the point-slope formula, we obtain:

\(\displaystyle r(h)=-\frac{2300}{7950}h+2300=2300\left(1-\frac{h}{7950}\right)=\frac{2300}{7950}(7950-h)\)

Now, the volume $V$ of the frustum of a cone is given as:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{h}{3}\left(A_1+A_2+\sqrt{A_1A_2}\right)\)

where \(\displaystyle A_i=\pi R_i^2\)

Frustum_750.gif


Hence:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\pi h}{3}\left(R_1^2+R_2^2+R_1R_2\right)\)

With $h=4200\text{ ft}$, we obtain:

\(\displaystyle R_1=2300\text{ ft}\)

\(\displaystyle R_2=\frac{2300}{7950}(7950-4200)\text{ ft}=\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\)

And so, we have:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\left(4200\text{ ft}\right)\pi}{3}\left(\left(2300\text{ ft}\right)^2+\left(\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\right)^2+\left(2300\text{ ft}\right)\left(\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\right)\right)\)

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{35245154000000}{2809}\pi\text{ ft}^3\approx1.2547224635101458\times10^{10}\text{ ft}^3\)

This is different than your result. I see the reason is that when you computed the volume of the part blown off, you computed the height of the part blown off by taking the initial height and subtracting the base radius, when you should have subtracted the final height instead. :)
 
  • #3
MarkFL said:
We know the radius $r$ of the cone decreases linearly as a function of height $h$, and this linear function contains the two points:

\(\displaystyle (r,h)=(2300,0),\,(0,7950)\)

Thus, using the point-slope formula, we obtain:

\(\displaystyle r(h)=-\frac{2300}{7950}h+2300=2300\left(1-\frac{h}{7950}\right)=\frac{2300}{7950}(7950-h)\)

Now, the volume $V$ of the frustum of a cone is given as:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{h}{3}\left(A_1+A_2+\sqrt{A_1A_2}\right)\)

where \(\displaystyle A_i=\pi R_i^2\)
Hence:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\pi h}{3}\left(R_1^2+R_2^2+R_1R_2\right)\)

With $h=4200\text{ ft}$, we obtain:

\(\displaystyle R_1=2300\text{ ft}\)

\(\displaystyle R_2=\frac{2300}{7950}(7950-4200)\text{ ft}=\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\)

And so, we have:

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\left(4200\text{ ft}\right)\pi}{3}\left(\left(2300\text{ ft}\right)^2+\left(\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\right)^2+\left(2300\text{ ft}\right)\left(\frac{57500}{53}\,\text{ft}\right)\right)\)

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{35245154000000}{2809}\pi\text{ ft}^3\approx1.2547224635101458\times10^{10}\text{ ft}^3\)

This is different than your result. I see the reason is that when you computed the volume of the part blown off, you computed the height of the part blown off by taking the initial height and subtracting the base radius, when you should have subtracted the final height instead. :)
Hello, thank you for your help so far.However, how can I find the final volume of the volcano after 79 AD without the knowledge of the volume of a frostum.
For example, can you solve this problem by subtracting the total volume of the volcano before 79AD minus the volume of the part of the volcano that blew off? And how?
 
  • #4
ruu said:
Hello, thank you for your help so far.However, how can I find the final volume of the volcano after 79 AD without the knowledge of the volume of a frostum.
For example, can you solve this problem by subtracting the total volume of the volcano before 79AD minus the volume of the part of the volcano that blew off? And how?

I used the formula for the volume of a conical frustum as a means of checking your work, as you requested. Once I found that gave a result different from what you posted, I looked through your work and found the error:

MarkFL said:
...This is different than your result. I see the reason is that when you computed the volume of the part blown off, you computed the height of the part blown off by taking the initial height and subtracting the base radius, when you should have subtracted the final height instead. :)

Make that correction and see if your result then agrees with the result I posted. :D
 

Related to Find the Volume of Mt. Vesuvius After 79AD in Terms of pi

1. What is the formula for finding the volume of Mt. Vesuvius After 79AD in terms of pi?

The formula for finding the volume of a cone, which can be used to approximate the volume of Mt. Vesuvius, is V = (1/3)πr^2h, where r is the radius of the base of the cone and h is the height of the cone.

2. How do you determine the radius and height of Mt. Vesuvius to use in the volume calculation?

The radius and height of Mt. Vesuvius can be determined by using geological studies and measurements of the volcano. Scientists can also use satellite imagery and topographical maps to estimate the dimensions of the volcano.

3. How accurate is the volume calculation of Mt. Vesuvius using the cone formula?

The volume calculation using the cone formula is an approximation and may not be entirely accurate. The actual volume of Mt. Vesuvius may vary due to factors such as erosion, changes in shape, and the presence of internal chambers or voids.

4. Is there a specific unit for the volume of Mt. Vesuvius, such as cubic meters or cubic kilometers?

The volume of Mt. Vesuvius can be expressed in any unit of volume, such as cubic meters or cubic kilometers. The appropriate unit to use may depend on the scale and precision of the calculation.

5. Can the volume of Mt. Vesuvius be calculated using other methods besides the cone formula?

Yes, there are other methods that can be used to calculate the volume of Mt. Vesuvius, such as using 3D modeling software or using a grid system to estimate the volume based on the elevation and contours of the volcano.

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