A hypothetical pressure question what if u covered the top of a container?

In summary, the pressure at C, 1m below the metal separator, is dependent on the height of water between C and B. The separator, which is attached to the container and does not float, only supports the water above it and is irrelevant to the pressure below. The pressure right under the separator is 0, unless the volume below is sealed and the separator does not deflect under the weight of the water.
  • #1
vaxopy
26
0
Lets say u have something like this
Code:
|      |  => A
|------|  => B
|      |
|      |
|      |
|------|   => C (1m below the metal seperator)
B => this is a strong metal seperator.. the water on top of this sits on this. the seperator is attached to the container..it does not float. it separates the top from the bottom
A => water that rests on the seperator
C => what is the pressure here?

is the pressure just pgh?? (ie, is P right underneath the seperator 0??) the entire container is filled with water
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
vaxopy said:
Lets say u have something like this
Code:
|      |  => A
|------|  => B
|      |
|      |
|      |
|------|   => C (1m below the metal seperator)
B => this is a strong metal seperator.. the water on top of this sits on this. the seperator is attached to the container..it does not float. it separates the top from the bottom
A => water that rests on the seperator
C => what is the pressure here?

is the pressure just pgh?? (ie, is P right underneath the seperator 0??) the entire container is filled with water
The pressure depends only on the height of water between C and B.

AM
 
  • #3
If I read this correctly, Andrew Mason is correct. The water above the metal separator is supported by the separator itself which is supported by the sides of the container. Since none of that is supported by the water below the separator, it is irrelevant to the pressure there. The pressure right under the separator is 0 (well, actually, it is the atmospheric pressure).
 
  • #4
...that is unless the volume below the sperator is sealed and the seperator does not deflect under the weight of the water above it.
 

1. What happens to the pressure inside the container if you cover the top?

The pressure inside the container will increase. This is because the gas molecules inside the container will have less space to move around, leading to more collisions with the walls of the container and an overall increase in pressure.

2. Will the change in pressure be significant?

It depends on the size of the container and the amount of gas inside. If the container is small and there is a large amount of gas, the increase in pressure will be significant. However, if the container is large and there is only a small amount of gas, the change in pressure may not be as noticeable.

3. How does covering the top of the container affect the gas molecules?

Covering the top of the container restricts the movement of the gas molecules, causing them to collide more frequently with each other and the walls of the container. This leads to an increase in pressure as the gas molecules exert more force on the walls.

4. Will the temperature inside the container change as a result of covering the top?

The temperature inside the container may increase slightly due to the increase in pressure. This is because the gas molecules have more energy and are moving at a faster rate, resulting in a rise in temperature.

5. Is there a limit to how much the pressure can increase by covering the top of the container?

Yes, there is a limit. As the pressure increases, the gas molecules will eventually reach a point where they are tightly packed and can no longer move freely. This is known as the limit of compressibility and is different for each gas.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
793
Replies
40
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
9K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
9K
Back
Top