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burningnachos
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Homework Statement
A water tank is formed by sliding four identical cubical blocks together. All edges are watertight. Each block has mass M and is L meters on each side. You wish to fill the tank to its brim, i.e. to depth L.
What is the minimum coefficient of static friction between the blocks and the ground so that the blocks do not spread apart and cause the tank to leak? Water has a density ρw and the atmosphere pressure at the tank's location is Po.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I assumed we were talking about the blocks "sliding" apart as opposed to tipping over as in torque. If we're trying to find the coefficient of static friction, that means the water is exerting a force on each block (equal for each block). I'm not sure how to begin finding this force. Teacher said water pressure on a dam acts at a point 1/3 way up, but that doesn't seem to help.
Help would be appreciated, thanks.