Does Pressure Force Change with Container Volume in Water Filled Containers?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between pressure and force in water-filled containers of varying volumes but equal base areas. Participants explore whether the pressure force changes based on the container's volume while maintaining the same mass of water.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the definitions of pressure and force, questioning how they relate to the height of water in the containers. Some raise concerns about the ambiguity of the problem regarding container shapes and the implications for pressure calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the factors affecting pressure at the bottom of the containers. There is an ongoing exploration of the terminology used, particularly the distinction between pressure and force.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the shapes of the containers, which may influence the height of the water and thus the pressure experienced at the bottom. Participants are also navigating the implications of using the term "pressure force."

Azeri
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I've got a "dilemma" here about Pressure Force:
" Containers with different volumes but with the same areas at the bottom are filled with water of equal mass. Will the Pressure Force vary according to containers?"

First of all I guess Pressure Force must be equal to the Weight [W] of water which is same for all containers W=mg=F , but on the other hand F=PxS=dghS=dgV (P-pressure, S-area at the bottom, d-density of liquid , V-volume of container) and it varies due to the volume of container.

Thanks...
 
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pressure depends on depth

The pressure at the bottom of the container depends only the depth (h) below the surface of the water (ignoring atmospheric pressure): P = \rho g h. So what matters is the height of the water in each container. Does the water reach the same height in each container?

(The question is a bit ambiguous, since no mention is made of the shape of the containers.)
 
The problem asks about Pressure Force (not Pressure) which causes pressure P=F/S S-Area
 
Azeri said:
" Containers with different volumes but with the same areas at the bottom are filled with water of equal mass.

Since the areas of the bottoms are equal, the only thing that can vary the pressure at the bottom of the containers is the height the liquid rises in each container as Doc Al already said. The height that the level rises will be dependent on the containers' geometries.

BTW..."Pressure force" is a horrible term to use. You're either interested in the pressure or the force applied.
 
I'm interested in Force applied.
 

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