Can Suction Lift a 20 Meter Water Column Without Exceeding Its Tensile Strength?

In summary, the question is what suction is needed to support a 20 m high column of liquid and if this exceeds the tensile strength of water. The equations for bulk modulus and pressure are given, and the tensile strength of water is stated as 20 MPa. Assuming a column with a diameter of 1 unit, the surface area is calculated to be 63.62 units^2. The conversation then discusses the concept of water rising in a straw and calculating the maximum height it could reach with a perfect vacuum inside the straw.
  • #1
Namrata
1
0

Homework Statement



What suction (or negative pressure) is required to support a column of liquid 20 m high? Does this exceed the tensile strength of water?

Homework Equations



Bulk Modulus = (Change in Pressure/ (Change in Volume/Volume))
Pressure = Force / Area

The Attempt at a Solution



Tensile strength of water = 20 MPa

Pressure = Force / Area

Assume column has a diameter of 1 unit.
The surface area of this column is thus:

Circumference x Height of column + Area of top of column

= 62.83 + 0.79
=63.62 units2


 
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  • #2
Do you know why water rises in a straw when you suck on it?
If you do, then assuming that you have an extremely long straw, can you calculate how high the water would rise if you had perfect vacuum (zero pressure) inside the straw?
 

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