How Does Acceleration Affect Water Levels in a U-Shaped Tube?

AI Thread Summary
In a U-shaped tube with a liquid, when the tube accelerates to the right, the liquid shifts to the left due to the non-inertial frame of reference. This creates a pressure difference, with the left column experiencing higher pressure than the right. The discussion emphasizes the need to understand how acceleration affects liquid levels, specifically that the apparent force acts to the left despite the actual acceleration being to the right. The analogy of a body being pressed to the side while turning in a car is used to illustrate this concept. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for solving the problem of height difference in the liquid columns.
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I'm having trouble with this problem here.

A U-shaped tube with a horizontal portion of length L contains a liquid. What is the difference in height between the liquid columns in the vertical arms if the tube has an acceleration toward the right?

There must be a net force to the left that presses the liquid to the left. In the right column there must be a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure. But I don't know how to relate the length of the tube to the answer. Could someone please give me a clue how to solve this.
 
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why must there be a force to the left? acceleration is to the right. what makes you think that there is pressure greater than atm. on the right. could you explain your logic.
 
The tube accelerates to the right. The water goes to the left, so there must be a force pressing it to the left. I know its not really a force, but It helps thinking of it that way. When you drive a car in a circle your body gets pressed to the sides. Your body is not in a an inertial frame of reference neither is the water. Is this not true?
 
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