Final answer:
To find the volume flow rate in the left coronary artery, calculate the cross-sectional area with the given diameter and multiply it by the average blood speed with unit conversion to liters per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calculating the Volume Flow Rate
To calculate the volume flow rate in the left coronary artery, we'll use the average blood speed you've provided and the artery's measurement specifications. The flow rate (Q) is given by the equation Q = A⋅V, where 'A' is the cross-sectional area of the artery, and 'V' is the average blood speed.
Step 1: Calculate the Area
The artery's diameter (d) is 4.6 mm, which gives us a radius (r) of 2.3 mm, or 0.0023 meters. The cross-sectional area (A) is calculated using the formula for the area of a circle, A = πr². So, A = π(0.0023 m)².
Step 2: Calculate the Flow Rate
With an average blood speed (Vavg) of 0.25 m/s, the flow rate (Q) can be found as Q = A⋅Vavg = π(0.0023 m)²(0.25 m/s). This will give us a value in cubic meters per second, which can be converted to liters per minute using the conversion factor: 1 m³/s = 1000 L/min.
Thus, the volume flow rate through the artery is Q = π(0.0023 m)²(0.25 m/s) ⋅ (1000 L/min).