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Question

Two cylindrical candles A and B of same height (H cm) and radius r and r/2 cm, respectively are ignited at the same time. If the candle A is reduced to 0.8 H height in 30 minutes, what would be the remaining height of the candle B in 30 minutes?

The correct answer is

0.6 H

Candle Burning Problem Analysis

This problem involves two cylindrical candles, A and B, with the same initial height but different radii. We are given information about how much candle A burns down in a specific time and asked to find the remaining height of candle B after the same amount of time.

Let's break down the information given:

  • Initial height of both candles A and B = H cm.
  • Radius of candle A = r cm.
  • Radius of candle B = r/2 cm.
  • Time elapsed = 30 minutes.
  • Height of candle A after 30 minutes = 0.8 H cm.

We need to find the remaining height of candle B after 30 minutes.

Candle A Height Reduction

First, let's determine how much height candle A lost in 30 minutes.

Height reduced for A = Initial height - Final height

Height reduced for A = H - 0.8 H = 0.2 H cm.

The rate of height reduction for candle A can be calculated as:

Rate of reduction for A ($v_A$) = $\frac{\text{Height reduced}}{\text{Time}}$

$$v_A = \frac{0.2 H}{30} \text{ cm/minute}$$

Candle B Remaining Height Calculation

Now, we consider candle B. We are not given a direct burning rate for B. Since the candles are made of the same material, their burning characteristics are related. A common assumption in such problems is that the rate of burning (either by volume or height) is related to the dimensions.

If the rate of height reduction were constant regardless of radius, candle B would also reduce by 0.2H, leaving 0.8H. However, 0.8H is an option, but it's not the correct answer according to the provided information. This suggests the rate of height reduction is dependent on the radius.

Let's assume the rate of height reduction ($v$) is inversely proportional to the radius (R) of the candle. This assumption is based on finding a relationship that yields one of the provided options as the correct answer.

So, we assume $v \propto \frac{1}{R}$, which can be written as $v = k \frac{1}{R}$, where k is a constant for the material.

Using Candle A data to find k

For candle A, we have radius $R_A = r$ and rate of height reduction $v_A = \frac{0.2H}{30}$.

$$v_A = k \frac{1}{R_A}$$

$$\frac{0.2H}{30} = k \frac{1}{r}$$

We can solve for k:

$$k = \frac{0.2H r}{30}$$

Calculating Rate and Height Reduction for Candle B

For candle B, we have radius $R_B = r/2$. Using the same proportionality constant k:

$$v_B = k \frac{1}{R_B}$$

$$v_B = \left(\frac{0.2H r}{30}\right) \frac{1}{(r/2)}$$

$$v_B = \left(\frac{0.2H r}{30}\right) \frac{2}{r}$$

$$v_B = \frac{0.4H}{30} \text{ cm/minute}$$

This means candle B burns down at a faster rate in terms of height compared to candle A ($0.4H/30$ vs $0.2H/30$).

Now, let's calculate the total height reduction for candle B in 30 minutes:

Height reduced for B = Rate of reduction for B $\times$ Time

Height reduced for B = $v_B \times 30 \text{ minutes}$

Height reduced for B = $\left(\frac{0.4H}{30}\right) \times 30 = 0.4H$ cm.

Finding the Remaining Height of Candle B

The remaining height of candle B after 30 minutes is:

Remaining height for B = Initial height - Height reduced for B

Remaining height for B = H - 0.4 H = 0.6 H cm.

Thus, the remaining height of candle B in 30 minutes is 0.6 H.

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