Formula Used:
From: | To: |
The Rate of Change of Height formula calculates how quickly the height of water in an aquifer changes over time based on the rate of volume change, aquifer area, and storage coefficient. This is important in hydrogeology for understanding groundwater dynamics.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that the rate of height change is proportional to the rate of volume change and inversely proportional to the product of aquifer area and storage coefficient.
Details: Calculating the rate of height change is crucial for groundwater management, predicting water table fluctuations, and understanding aquifer response to pumping or recharge.
Tips: Enter rate of volume change in cm³/s, aquifer area in m², and storage coefficient. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is the aquifer area negative in the formula?
A: The negative sign indicates that as volume decreases (pumping), the height decreases, maintaining proper mathematical relationship.
Q2: What is a typical range for storage coefficient?
A: Storage coefficient typically ranges from 0.0001 to 0.3 for confined aquifers and 0.1 to 0.3 for unconfined aquifers.
Q3: How does this relate to hydraulic head?
A: The rate of height change directly relates to changes in hydraulic head, which is a fundamental concept in groundwater flow.
Q4: What units should I use for accurate results?
A: Use consistent units: rate of volume change in cm³/s, area in m², and the result will be in m/s.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for other fluids?
A: While designed for water in aquifers, the principle applies to any fluid in a porous medium with appropriate storage coefficient values.