Slapping Waterfalls: Can Pressure Move Fountains?

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The discussion explores whether slapping a water stream from a fountain can generate enough pressure to move the fountain itself. It concludes that the water's fluid nature prevents it from transferring sufficient force to affect the fountain's position. While a high-density stream might support some wave propagation, most fountains produce low-velocity streams that cannot impart significant momentum. The conversation also touches on the hypothetical scenario of freezing the water stream, which would eliminate flow but humorously suggests that glaciers can still move. Overall, the consensus is that slapping the water will not effectively move the fountain.
kingofingo
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I Came up with that yesterday when i had a shower. So here it is.
Imagine a fount(i am that the word for the found that throw water under us)
in a shower that has a hole on the one side and hang on an ax that is set on the wall(inside the shower). The fount can turn easily right and left. So we make the fount to throw water under pressure. Now, we slap the waterfall with our hand. Is it possible debends the pressure of the waterfall to MOVE the fount slapping the water??Sorry for my terrible english.
 
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If I understand the question correctly, the answer is no. The water doesn't provide a rigid transfer of force back to the spout.
 
If I understand the question correctly, the answer is no. The water isn't solid enough to transfer force up or down to the fount.
 
If the water stream hasn't broken apart then it can support waves which may impart momentum to the fountain.
 
But wouldn't that be dependent upon it being a very high-density stream? Most fountains deliver a low-velocity, low-density stream. Smacking it with something will just disrupt the upward flow, not transfer momentum to the nozzle.
 
The condition that the stream hasn't already broken apart is fairly stringent and any wave propagation up the stream (essentially supported by surface tension) will be minimal since even moderate amplitude will itself cause the stream to break up!
 
Thanks a lot for your respond.
Tide i don't really get your answer:-)
Is impossible to effect the fount?
 
I am saying it may be possible but any effect would be extremely weak.
 
If you freeze the stream, on the other hand...:biggrin:
 
  • #10
... in which case it won't flow very fast! :)
 
  • #11
Dang! You've got an answer for everything.:-p
 
  • #12
Glaciers flow. Kind of...
 
  • #13
Danger said:
Dang! You've got an answer for everything.:-p

But you make it so EASY! :wink:
 
  • #14
Looks like the beginning of a beautiful war.:-p
I'll catch you in GD when I'm not so tired.:biggrin:
 

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