Question

A student examines a 20-meter long rectangular stream channel and takes the following measurements: width of stream = 4 meters, depth of stream = 2 meters, velocity of stream = 5 meters per second. What is the discharge of the stream at this location.

Answer 1

The discharge of the stream at this location is 40 cubic meters per second.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discharge is the volume flow rate of the water in the stream. For this purpose we can use the following formula:

Discharge = Volume Flow Rate = (Cross-Sectional Area)(Velocity of Stream)

Volume Flow Rate = (Width of Stream)(Depth of Stream)(Velocity of Stream)

Volume Flow Rate = (4 meters)(2 meters)(5 meters per second)

Volume Flow Rate = 40 cubic meters per second

Therefore, the discharge of the stream at this location is found to be 40 cubic meters per second

This result shows that 40 cubic meters volume of water passes or discharges through this point in a time of one second. Hence, this is called the volume flow rate or the discharge of the stream.