Find the Highest Pressure Point in this Conjoined Container

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining which point in a conjoined container filled with water exhibits the highest pressure. Participants explore the implications of Pascal's law and the relationship between pressure, height, and forces acting on the water within the container.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially suggests that point C has the highest pressure due to forces acting on it, but expresses uncertainty regarding pressure equilibrium.
  • After a revision, another participant proposes point D as the highest pressure point, citing similar reasoning about forces and pressure equilibrium.
  • Another participant challenges the reasoning provided, emphasizing that pressure in a liquid is determined by the formula P = ρgh, which accounts for density, gravity, and height.
  • A later reply confirms that since all points share the same density and gravitational acceleration, the highest pressure point would be at the greatest height, which is point D.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the reasoning behind the pressure at each point, as participants express differing views on the factors influencing pressure. However, there is agreement that point D is considered to have the highest pressure due to its height.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference Pascal's law and the formula for pressure in liquids, but there is some confusion regarding the application of these concepts to the specific scenario presented in the diagram.

brainst0rm
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Homework Statement



In this conjoined container, water is filled up to the top at all three openings. Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?


````/~\``````````|~~~|`````\~~~~~~~/
``` /~~\`````````|~~~|``````\~~~~~~/
```/~~~\````````|~~~|```````\~~~~~/
``/~~~~\````````|~~~|```````\~C~~/
`/~~`A~~\_______|~B~|________\~~/
/_____________C__________________/


Key: ~ represents water
` ignore, represents space (used to post on forum)



Homework Equations



Pascal’s law, Pressure = Force/Area


The Attempt at a Solution



I think point C has the highest pressure point because two forces act on it from left to right and right to left. However, the pressure equilibrium comes to play and I am unsure which point displays the highest point of pressure. My second guess would be point C due to the higher force pushing downwards. What is the right answer? Thanks.
 
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welcome to pf!

hi brainst0rm! welcome to pf! :smile:

i'm confused :redface:

why are there two Cs in the diagram? :confused:
 


Oops. I revised the data points with one point C and one point D.

Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?
1. Homework Statement

In this conjoined container, water is filled up to the top at all three openings. Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?


````/~\``````````|~~~|`````\~~~~~~~/
``` /~~\`````````|~~~|``````\~~~~~~/
```/~~~\````````|~~~|```````\~~~~~/
``/~~~~\````````|~~~|```````\~C~~/
`/~~`A~~\_______|~B~|________\~~'/
/_____________D__________________/


Key: ~ represents water
` ignore, represents space (used to post on forum)



2. Homework Equations

Pascal’s law, Pressure = Force/Area


3. The Attempt at a Solution

I think point D has the highest pressure point because two forces act on it from left to right and right to left. However, the pressure equilibrium comes to play and I am unsure which point displays the highest point of pressure. My second guess would be point C due to the higher force pushing downwards. What is the right answer? Thanks.
 
brainst0rm said:
I think point D has the highest pressure point because two forces act on it from left to right and right to left.

right, but for the wrong reason

(i don't even understand the reason…

pressure acts left right and all around everywhere :confused:)

the pressure in a liquid is ρgh (+ atmospheric pressure) …

are you not familiar with that formula?​
 


Oh yes, P = pgh. How about this?

P = pgh, or Pressure = (Density) x (gravity due to acceleration) x (height). Because all points share the same density and gravity due to acceleration, the highest pressure point would be the point with the largest height, which is Point D.
 
hi brainst0rm! :smile:
brainst0rm said:
Because all points share the same density and gravity due to acceleration, the highest pressure point would be the point with the largest height, which is Point D.

yes, that's right …

the shape of the container doesn't matter …

so long as it's open to the atmosphere, the pressure only depends on the depth :wink:
 

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