Hot water at 130 F and cold water at 50 F mix in a water faucet. The outlet from the faucet is at 100 F and 4 gallon per minute.
Find the volume flow rate of the hot and cold water entering the faucet.

Question

Hot water at 130 F and cold water at 50 F mix in a water faucet. The outlet from the faucet is at 100 F and 4 gallon per minute. 
Find the volume flow rate of the hot and cold water entering the faucet.

aaronq · Answer

the specific heat for both sources is the same (they're both liquid water), so we really just have to find the contribution of each.

let x be the percentage of hot water coming in, and y the percentage of cold  water coming in.

130F (x)  + 50F (y) = 100 F

we also know that the total percent must be equal to 100%, so x+y =1

you have two equations and two unknowns, solve them.

Use the percentages to get the rates.

anonymous · Answer

Ok that's cool. So how would I get the flow rate after I get the percentages?

aaronq · Answer

multiply each percentage by the total rate (4 gal/min)

anonymous · Answer

That makes sense. Thanks for the help!!

aaronq · Answer

no problem !