Fluids - Conical vs Cylindrical Water Clock

[sean882]

I am researching water clocks through history. At some point, it was realized that for the container the water drips from, a conical container with the hole at its point was superior to a cylindrical container with the hole in its side. Could someone explain to me why conical containers are superior?

Thanks,
-Sean

 

[RandomGuy88]

I don't know much about water clocks but I would imagine one advantage of a conical container would be that all of the water would eventually drip out. In a cylinder you will get some left over water on the sides that will never make it to the hole on their own. But if the water is dripping out the point of a cone it will all make it to the hole.

 

[Unrest]

me why conical containers are superior?

Just an idea, but if the rate of dripping is proportional to pressure then it would drip slower and slower as it empties, but the narrowing diameter of the conical one would make the height of the free surface drop faster and faster as it empties, possibly counteracting the slowing and leading to a constant rate of decrease of height so it could be read on a linear scale.