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Q. There is a diagram that shows three tanks which contain objects of the same size and density, at the same depth in a tank (text). The tanks all vary in shape and volume of water (my observation). Which object experiences the greatest pressure?
A. All three objects experience the same pressure.
TBR says "Although the three tanks have different shapes, the height of the fluid in all three cases is the same. Pressure at a depth "h" below the surface of the fluid is rho*g*h. Since the objects are all at the same depth "h", they all experience the same pressure."
I got this question wrong. My thought process behind it was that if the area of each tank was different, the tank with the least area would have the greatest amount of pressure. Why is my thinking incorrect? Why do I look at the depth instead?
Thanks for your help!
A. All three objects experience the same pressure.
TBR says "Although the three tanks have different shapes, the height of the fluid in all three cases is the same. Pressure at a depth "h" below the surface of the fluid is rho*g*h. Since the objects are all at the same depth "h", they all experience the same pressure."
I got this question wrong. My thought process behind it was that if the area of each tank was different, the tank with the least area would have the greatest amount of pressure. Why is my thinking incorrect? Why do I look at the depth instead?
Thanks for your help!