Math Problem Statement

The height of the water column (T=20 ºC) in the open tank is 4.5 m. Calculate the pressure acting on the bottom of the tank. Remember to count atmospheric pressure to the answer

Solution

To calculate the pressure at the bottom of the tank, we need to consider two components of pressure:

  1. Pressure due to the water column (hydrostatic pressure):
    The formula for hydrostatic pressure is given by: Pwater=ρghP_{\text{water}} = \rho \cdot g \cdot h Where:

    • ρ\rho is the density of water (for water at 20 ºC, ρ998kg/m3\rho \approx 998 \, \text{kg/m}^3)
    • gg is the acceleration due to gravity (g=9.81m/s2g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2)
    • hh is the height of the water column (4.5 m)
  2. Atmospheric pressure:
    Atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately Patm=101325PaP_{\text{atm}} = 101325 \, \text{Pa} (Pascals).

Step 1: Calculate Hydrostatic Pressure

Using the formula for hydrostatic pressure: Pwater=(998kg/m3)(9.81m/s2)(4.5m)P_{\text{water}} = (998 \, \text{kg/m}^3) \cdot (9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2) \cdot (4.5 \, \text{m})

Step 2: Add Atmospheric Pressure

Total pressure at the bottom of the tank: Ptotal=Pwater+PatmP_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{water}} + P_{\text{atm}}

Let's calculate it.The total pressure acting on the bottom of the tank, including both the hydrostatic pressure from the water and the atmospheric pressure, is approximately 145,382 Pa (Pascals).

Would you like more details or have any further questions?

Here are 5 related questions you might find helpful:

  1. How does the pressure change if the water temperature increases?
  2. What happens to the total pressure if the height of the water column is doubled?
  3. How do you convert pressure in Pascals to other units, like bar or atm?
  4. What is the significance of atmospheric pressure in various calculations?
  5. How would the pressure change if the tank was closed instead of open?

Tip: Always account for atmospheric pressure when calculating total pressure for an open system like a tank!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Fluid Mechanics
Pressure Calculation
Hydrostatics

Formulas

Hydrostatic Pressure Formula: P_water = ρ * g * h
Total Pressure Formula: P_total = P_water + P_atm

Theorems

Pascal's Principle

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12