- #1
bluechipx
- 56
- 23
I have a problem that 'seems' to defy physics. I've been told that when your mind and physics don't mesh, go with physics, so I will, but I'm not taking it well. Okay, here's the problem. I was building a 1000+ gal aquarium in my home. Eight feet long, six feet from front to back and 38 in. deep. I was worried about the 3/4" glass not being able to withstand the pressure, so I found comparable tanks that were working. The comparable tanks were way less than my six foot dim. from front to back, but I knew that only depth should matter for pressure on the glass, not front to back dim. At this point I'm sure we all agree that if the back of the tank were only a foot from the glass or a mile, the pressure on the glass would be the same, right? The glass had an area of 3648 sq. in. (38x96) Water pressure is constant at any given depth, so I calculated the total pressure on the glass at approx 2500 lbs. I was fine with the fact that 1138 gallons of water could easily generate the 2500 lb number. In fact as I filled the tank the pressure began to bow the glass somewhat and was evident with a straightedge. Now here's the problem, if you were to move the back of the tank (6 feet) toward the glass until there was about 1/32" from front to back, and pour in one glass of water, I really can't envision a 2500 lb load on the glass, and the glass bulging from pressure. So what's up here?