Fluid, pressure and weight question

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hydrostatic forces in a system of two connected cylinders, where the top cylinder has a radius of \(\frac{R}{100}\) and both cylinders are filled with liquid. The weight of the liquid in the system is calculated as \(\frac{5001 \rho \pi R^2 gH}{5000}\), while the hydrostatic force supported by the base of the first cylinder is \(\frac{5000.5 \rho \pi R^2 gH}{5000}\). The conclusion drawn is that the hydrostatic force exceeds the weight of the liquid due to the additional pressure from the column of water in the second cylinder, which contributes to the overall pressure at the base of the first cylinder.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrostatic pressure principles
  • Familiarity with fluid mechanics equations, specifically \(\Delta F = P \Delta A\) and \(P = \rho gH\)
  • Basic knowledge of cylindrical geometry and volume calculations
  • Concept of connected fluid systems and pressure distribution
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of hydrostatic pressure in greater detail
  • Explore fluid dynamics concepts related to connected vessels
  • Learn about pressure distribution in multi-cylinder systems
  • Investigate real-world applications of hydrostatic forces in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, engineers working with fluid systems, and anyone interested in understanding hydrostatic pressure and its implications in connected fluid mechanics scenarios.

fluidistic
Gold Member
Messages
3,934
Reaction score
286
Hi PF,
I think I solved well the problem but I don't know what's going on and I thought about it last night and I am at a loss on this...

Homework Statement


Consider a closed cylinder whose height is H and with radius R. On its top there is a cylinder of height H and radius [tex]\frac{R}{100}[/tex] such that we can fill the 2 cylinders with liquid via the cylinder on the top of the other. (They are connected such that the liquid can flow between the cylinders).
Compare the weight of the liquid with the hydrostatic force supported by the base of the first cylinder.


Homework Equations


[tex]\Delta F=P \Delta A[/tex]
[tex]P=\rho gH[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I found out that the weight of the liquid is [tex]\frac{5001 \rho \pi R^2 gH}{5000}[/tex] while the force supported by the base of the first cylinder is [tex]\frac{5000.5 \rho \pi R^2 gH}{5000}[/tex]. I find this incredible that the ground doesn't have to support all the weight of the liquid... I don't know what's going on. The problem is of course under the column of water formed by the second cylinder. It seems that its weight is greater than the force needed to support it. Maybe molecules are going upward there and so forming a flow... I really want to know!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The answer is that the hydrostatic force supported by the base of the first cylinder is greater than the weight of the liquid. This is because the pressure on the base of the first cylinder is increased by the column of water formed by the second cylinder. The pressure on the base of the first cylinder is the sum of the pressure due to the weight of the liquid in both cylinders plus the pressure due to the column of water formed by the second cylinder. This extra pressure increases the hydrostatic force that the base of the first cylinder must support, making it greater than the weight of the liquid.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 63 ·
3
Replies
63
Views
5K