The Power Function

Studies of stream length and drainage

basins determined an empirical
relationship :
0.6

L = 1.4 A

where L is stream length and A is drainage basin area.

(Hack, 1957)

The Power
Function

In our lab exercise on sinking

forams, you derived the equation
for Stokes settling velocity,
2

Vstokes = (g/18 d

Stokes derived this equation from consideration of the

driving forces and resisting forces for sinking
foraminifera.

The Power
Function
Both the empirically defined Hack equation and the
analytically derived Law for Stokes velocity are
examples of power functions.
A power function is written in general form by

y = ax

The Power
Function
y = ax

0.6

In the case of Hack's Law,

y=L
x=A
b = 0.6
(a = 1.4)

L = 1.4 A

The Power
Function
y = ax

In the case of Stokes velocity,

y = Vstokes
x=d
b=2
(a = g/18)

Vstokes = (g/18 d

The Power
Function
b
y = ax
What is interesting about this equation is what
happens when you apply logarithms.
How would you do it ?

log y = log a + b*log x

Does this equation remind you of anything ?

Logarithm of a Power Function

log y = log a + b*log x
This may be similar to the equation for a straight line where

y = b + m*x
b=3
m=1

y = 3 + 1*x

y=3+x

(at the x intercept when x = 0, y = 3)

What kind of scale would we need to plot the logarithmic equation
to simulate a linear equation ?

Logarithm of a Power
Function
log y = log a + b*log
x

If a and x are a set of measurements and y is a column of results

and we take the log of each of these numbers
Then plot these log values on normal graph paper...
y
We see a straight line.
With b as the slope.
The x intercept (log x = 0)
x

occurs at log a

Logarithm of a Power
Function
log y = log a + b*log
x
If we plot x against y on log-log paper,
We also see a straight line
y

Again, b is the slope

The line crosses x = 1
Where y = a
x

Power Functions in Geology

Log - log plots are common in geology
As a result, power functions often arise in geology
As crystals settle out of a magma
element concentrations, C, in the
remaining liquid change according
to this equation.

Linear plot of
C = CoF(D-1)

C = CoF(D-1)
Where Co is initial concentration, F is the fraction of liquid
remaining, and D is the distribution coefficient.

Power Functions in Geology

Log - log plots are common in geology
As a result, power functions often arise in geology

C = CoF

(D-1)

log C = log Co + (D-1) log F

log-log plot

Power Functions in Geology

Stream length (y) and drainage-basin area (x) are measured

and listed in the table above.
The logs of each measurement are listed in column 4 and 5
If we plot columns 4 and 5 and try to fit a line to the data
Constant = 0.148761, and slope is 0.53687

Power Functions in Geology

Constant = 0.148761, and slope is 0.53687

How can we write this in a linear style equation with logs ?

log y = 0.148761 + 0.53687 log x

Power Functions in Geology

log y = 0.148761 + 0.53687 log x

Plot columns x and y (squares)
Test theory, but plotting the line for the log eqn above.
Pretty good fit!

Power Functions in Geology

log y = 0.148761 + 0.53687 log x

Remember that if we take the antilog of both sides
We get
Simplifying,

y = 10

0.148761

y = 1.41 x

0.54

0.53687

Power Functions on a Linear Scale

y = 1.41 x0.54
Data in a power function plotted on a linear-linear scale
The curve continues to increase
But it increases at an ever decreasing slope

Power Functions on a Linear Scale

y = 1.41 x0.54
To understand the slopes of a function, take it's derivative

dy
dx

= 0.76 x

-0.46

rise
run

The exponent, b is < 1 (negative)

This says the slope will decrease, as x progresses

Power Functions on a Linear Scale

Taking the derivative in general

dy
dx

= (a) x

b-1

If the exponent, b is > 1 (positive)

Then the slope will increase, as x progresses
What if b = 1 ? Then what ?

Power Functions on a Linear Scale

y = 1.41 x

0.54

To Summarize:
b-1
For y = ax
Plots will be convex- upward if
Plots will be convex -downward if
Plots will be a straight line if

b<1
b>1
b = 1.

(negative exp)
(positive exp)

Power Functions and Exponential

Functions
b

y =x

y =b

It is easy to confuse power fns with exponential fns

We've already looked at exponential functions
But we have not studied power functions until today.
Exponential functions produce a straight line when plotted
on a linear-log scale.
Where as power functions produce a straight line when
plotted on a log-log scale

Power Functions and Exponential

Functions
b
y =x
In a power function, for every increase in x by some factor
y increases by some other factor

y =b

In an exponential function, for every increase in x by some

factor
y may increase by an order of magnitude
(assuming b is a whole number)

This is where the concept of a half-life comes from.

Back to Drainage Basins and Hack's

Law
Studies of stream length and drainage
basins determined an empirical
relationship :
0.54

L = 1.4 A

where L is stream length and A is drainage basin area.

(Hack, 1957)

The exponential b value here has been debated.

Back to Drainage Basins and Hack's

Law
0.6
L = 1.4 A
Some say that if b > 0.5
Then the length/area relationship
implies that large basins are more
elongated.

Shape of Drainage Basins

L

0.54

L = 1.4 A

Understanding length/area ratio

If A = wL
Then,

L = 1.4 (wL)0.54

Simplifying.... w/L = 0.53L-0.15

Notice that the exponent is negative.

How will w/L change as you go downstream (increasing L) ?

Shape of Drainage Basins

L
-0.15

Put L on one side: w/L = 0.53L

0.85

w = 0.53 L

Will a plot of L versus w be convex

up or down ?