Does a barrel explode if it's filled with water?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the effects of filling a barrel completely with water and the implications of pressure differences, particularly whether this scenario could lead to the barrel collapsing or exploding. The scope includes theoretical considerations of pressure, material properties of water, and practical observations related to similar containers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the pressure exerted by water in a barrel and questions whether the resulting pressure difference compared to atmospheric pressure would cause the barrel to implode.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the initial claim, noting that water bottles do not typically explode, suggesting a misunderstanding in the pressure dynamics.
  • A different participant proposes that water's incompressibility contributes to maintaining the structural integrity of the barrel.
  • Another participant elaborates on the concept of water being pressurizable, explaining how filling a container against atmospheric pressure affects the water's state and pressure within the container.
  • A later reply reiterates the idea of water being pressurizable and expresses gratitude for the clarification provided in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of pressure in the scenario, with no consensus reached on whether the barrel would implode or not. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the outcomes of filling a barrel with water under the specified conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully address the assumptions regarding the structural limits of the barrel or the effects of atmospheric pressure on the water's behavior. There are also unresolved aspects related to the practicalities of filling a barrel in a vacuum.

titaniumpen
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Pressure = density * gravity * height

I'm wondering what will happen if you fill a barrel completely with water and leave absolutely no air in it. Let's say the barrel is 1 meter tall. So the pressure from the water inside would be 1000*9.8*1 = 9800 N/m^2

But the atmospheric pressure would be 101,300 N/m^2

Difference between the two pressures would be 91,500 N/m^2.

Wouldn't that cause the barrel to collapse (implode)?
 
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I'm pretty sure I got something wrong here. I don't see water bottles exploding...
 
My guess is that water is not easily compressible, so it holds the barrel.
 
Not easily compressible, but easily pressurize-able. (probably not a word, but it should be)

See, if you fill the water bottle while in the atmosphere, the weight of the water isn't the only pressure in action. You're filling the bottle against air pressure, so the water in the bottle is already compressed and pressurized before you close the top.

If you fill the bottle in a vacuum (problematic due to the water boiling, but bear with me...) and transfer it to the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure will compress it, pressurizing the water. The final volume in the second case will be slightly less than in the first case.
 
russ_watters said:
Not easily compressible, but easily pressurize-able. (probably not a word, but it should be)

See, if you fill the water bottle while in the atmosphere, the weight of the water isn't the only pressure in action. You're filling the bottle against air pressure, so the water in the bottle is already compressed and pressurized before you close the top.

If you fill the bottle in a vacuum (problematic due to the water boiling, but bear with me...) and transfer it to the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure will compress it, pressurizing the water. The final volume in the second case will be slightly less than in the first case.

Thank you, I now understand. :D
 

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