Calculate Net Downward Force on Mars Water Tank

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In summary, the design of a cylindrical, pressurized water tank for a future colony on Mars must account for the acceleration due to gravity, which is 3.71 \;{\rm m}/{\rm s}^{2}. The tank will have a pressure of 150 kPa at the surface of the water and a depth of 13.5 m. The pressure of the air in the building outside the tank will be 88.0 kPa. To find the net downward force on the tank's flat bottom, the static fluid pressure at a given depth must be considered, along with the pressure at the surface. Additionally, the pressure of the outside air pushing from below must also be taken into account. Once the net
  • #1
badman
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You are assigned the design of a cylindrical, pressurized water tank for a future colony on Mars, where the acceleration due to gravity is 3.71 \;{\rm m}/{\rm s}^{2}. The pressure at the surface of the water will be 150 kPa and the depth of the water will be 13.5 m. The pressure of the air in the building outside the tank will be 88.0 kPa.


Find the net downward force on the tank's flat bottom, of area 2.25 m^2, exerted by the water and air inside the tank and the air outside the tank.?


im clueless :confused:
 
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  • #2
What's the static fluid pressure at a given depth beneath the surface of a fluid? When calculating the total pressure above the tank's bottom, don't forget to add the pressure at the surface.

To find the net pressure on the tank bottom, don't forget to consider the pressure of the outside air pushing from below.

Once you have the net pressure, you can figure out the net force, given the area.
 
  • #3


To calculate the net downward force on the Mars water tank, we need to consider the forces acting on the tank.

First, let's calculate the force exerted by the water inside the tank. We can use the formula F = ρghA, where ρ is the density of water (1000 kg/m^3), g is the acceleration due to gravity on Mars (3.71 m/s^2), h is the depth of water (13.5 m), and A is the area of the bottom of the tank (2.25 m^2). Plugging in these values, we get:

F = (1000 kg/m^3)(3.71 m/s^2)(13.5 m)(2.25 m^2) = 89,737.5 N

Next, we need to calculate the force exerted by the air inside the tank. This can be done using the ideal gas law, which states that pressure is directly proportional to the number of moles of gas and temperature, and inversely proportional to volume. Since we know the pressure (150 kPa) and volume (assumed to be the same as the volume of water in the tank), we can calculate the number of moles of air using the formula n = PV/RT, where P is the pressure (150 kPa), V is the volume (2.25 m^3), R is the ideal gas constant (8.314 J/mol*K), and T is the temperature (assumed to be the same as the temperature outside the tank). Plugging in these values, we get:

n = (150 kPa)(2.25 m^3)/(8.314 J/mol*K)(T) = 0.02098 mol

Now, we can use this value to calculate the force exerted by the air inside the tank using the formula F = nRT/V, where n is the number of moles (0.02098 mol), R is the ideal gas constant (8.314 J/mol*K), and V is the volume (2.25 m^3). Plugging in these values, we get:

F = (0.02098 mol)(8.314 J/mol*K)(T)/(2.25 m^3) = 0.000412 T N

The force exerted by the air outside the tank can be calculated in the same way, using the pressure of 88.0 k
 

1. How do you calculate the net downward force on a Mars water tank?

To calculate the net downward force on a Mars water tank, you will need to know the mass of the tank and the gravitational acceleration on Mars. The formula for calculating net downward force is F = m x g, where F is the force, m is the mass, and g is the gravitational acceleration. Simply plug in the values and solve for F to determine the net downward force on the tank.

2. What is the mass of a typical Mars water tank?

The mass of a typical Mars water tank will vary depending on its size and material. However, a common estimate for the mass of a 1000-liter water tank is around 100 kilograms.

3. How does the gravitational acceleration on Mars affect the net downward force on a water tank?

The gravitational acceleration on Mars is approximately 3.7 meters per second squared, which is about one-third of Earth's gravitational acceleration. This means that the net downward force on a water tank on Mars will be less compared to a similar water tank on Earth due to the lower gravitational pull.

4. Can the net downward force on a Mars water tank change over time?

Yes, the net downward force on a Mars water tank can change over time. This can happen due to changes in the mass of the tank, such as adding or removing water, or changes in the gravitational acceleration on Mars due to geological processes.

5. How important is it to calculate the net downward force on a Mars water tank?

Calculating the net downward force on a Mars water tank is crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of the tank. It helps determine whether the tank can support its own weight and the weight of the water inside without collapsing. It is also important for designing and engineering the tank to withstand the gravitational forces on Mars.

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