wu :: forums (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
general >> truth >> How is the capacity arrived at
(Message started by: ragtlll on Mar 6th, 2014, 1:39pm)

Title: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by ragtlll on Mar 6th, 2014, 1:39pm
what would the equation be to determine the capacity of a trash bag?

Let me clarify. I have many different trash bags to consider such as can be found here interplas.com/trash-bags.  The issue I have is that the website states the certain gallon capacity of the trash bags but what about when the trash bag is tied to constrain the contents. Of course, this presents a dilemma because where would the trash bag be tied and what if I want to find the EXACT millimeter capacity of even the largest capacity bag?

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by towr on Mar 6th, 2014, 10:07pm
It would be very complicated, because it's a complicated shape.
If you approximate it by a cylinder, it's height * radius squared * pi.

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by JiNbOtAk on Mar 6th, 2014, 11:42pm
I prefer the Edison's approach. Fill up the trash bag with water, weigh the filled bag and obtain the volume. Much easier than attempting numerous multiple integral.  :P

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by towr on Mar 7th, 2014, 4:56am
But we're asked for an equation. So perhaps, [flow of water in L/s] * [time till bag fills up in s]  :P

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by rloginunix on Mar 7th, 2014, 8:38am
And you could improve the answer by one molecule by replacing water with air - cheapening the test, increasing the chances of the trash bag test survival and measuring the flow in convenient cubic units.

On a separate note, if you have a stopwatch and know the flow generated by your lungs that's all you need to do the estimate yourself.

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by Grimbal on Mar 11th, 2014, 8:01am
Not to mention that when you buy a bag, the volume is usually written on the label.
Or you can ask the salesman.

Title: Re: How is the capacity arrived at
Post by movie4fun on Aug 18th, 2014, 7:14pm
you have to consider the type of trash you are gonna putin there.



Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.4!
Forum software copyright © 2000-2004 Yet another Bulletin Board