How Does Water Pressure Relate to Tank Height and Pipe Elevation?

In summary, the water level in a large tank supplying a small town is 37m high and the street-level water pressure is 36x10^4 Pa. To have a pressure of 400 kPa due only to the liquid, the vertical pipe filled with water should be 10 meters high. This can be calculated using the equation P = pgh, where P is the pressure, p is the density of water, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the column of water.
  • #1
SAT2400
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Homework Statement


1)
The water level in a large tank supplying a small town is 37m high. Water is pumped up for storage in the evenings and allowed to free-fall down as needed during the day. The street-level water pressure is...
2) How high should a vertical pipe filled with water be if a gauge at its bottom is to read a pressure of 400kPa due only to the liquid?


Homework Equations


P= pgh = F/A


The Attempt at a Solution


1)
answer: 36x 10^4 Pa
2)
answer: 3x 10^4 Pa

I have been trying to get these right answers using the equations above..
But, I have no idea..T_T
Please help!
 
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  • #2


SAT2400 said:

Homework Statement


1)
The water level in a large tank supplying a small town is 37m high. Water is pumped up for storage in the evenings and allowed to free-fall down as needed during the day. The street-level water pressure is...
2) How high should a vertical pipe filled with water be if a gauge at its bottom is to read a pressure of 400kPa due only to the liquid?


Homework Equations


P= pgh = F/A


The Attempt at a Solution


1)
answer: 36x 10^4 Pa
yes
2)
answer: 3x 10^4 Pa
I don't know what you did here, but the problem is asking for the height, when the pressure is 400 kPa (40x 10^4 Pa). Use the same equation you used for the first part. (you don't need to know F or A).
 
  • #3


As a scientist, it is important to provide accurate and precise responses to questions. Let's break down the problem and apply the relevant equations to find the solutions.

1) The water level in the tank is given as 37m. We can use the equation P = pgh to calculate the pressure at the bottom of the tank. P is the pressure, p is the density of water (1000 kg/m^3), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height of the water column. Plugging in the values, we get P = (1000 kg/m^3)(9.8 m/s^2)(37 m) = 362,600 Pa. This is equivalent to 36.26 x 10^4 Pa, which is close to the given answer of 36 x 10^4 Pa.

2) We are given the pressure (P) as 400 kPa and need to find the height (h) of the water column. Rearranging the equation P = pgh, we get h = P/(pg). Plugging in the values, we get h = (400,000 Pa)/((1000 kg/m^3)(9.8 m/s^2)) = 40.82 m. This is equivalent to 4.08 x 10^4 Pa, which is close to the given answer of 3 x 10^4 Pa.

It is important to note that the given answers may have been rounded for simplicity. It is also important to check the units and make sure they are consistent throughout the calculations. I hope this helps!
 

FAQ: How Does Water Pressure Relate to Tank Height and Pipe Elevation?

What is the pressure of a full water tank?

The pressure of a full water tank depends on the volume of water and the height of the water column. The formula for calculating pressure is P = ρgh, where P is pressure, ρ is the density of water, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the water column. So, the pressure of a full water tank will increase as the height of the water column increases.

How does the pressure of a water tank change when the tank is not completely full?

The pressure of a water tank will decrease as the tank is not completely full, since there is less water present to create a higher water column. The pressure will follow the same formula as mentioned above, but with a smaller value for h.

What factors can affect the pressure of a water tank?

The pressure of a water tank can be affected by the volume of water, the height of the water column, the temperature of the water, and the atmospheric pressure. Changes in any of these factors can cause a change in pressure within the tank.

Can the pressure of a water tank be too high?

Yes, the pressure of a water tank can be too high. If the pressure exceeds the maximum capacity of the tank, it can lead to damage or even explosion of the tank. It is important to follow safety guidelines and make sure the pressure does not exceed the recommended levels.

How can the pressure of a water tank be measured?

The pressure of a water tank can be measured using a pressure gauge. This device is connected to the tank and displays the pressure in units of force per unit area, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). It is important to regularly check the pressure of a water tank to ensure it is within safe levels.

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