Final answer:
The net downward force on the tank's flat bottom is equal to the weight of the water divided by the area of the tank's bottom.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the net downward force on the tank's flat bottom, we need to consider the pressures exerted by the water and air inside the tank and the air outside the tank. The pressure exerted by the water is equal to the weight of the water divided by the area of the tank's bottom. The pressure exerted by the air inside the tank is equal to the atmospheric pressure. And the pressure exerted by the air outside the tank is also equal to the atmospheric pressure. Since the atmospheric pressure is the same inside and outside the tank, the net downward force on the tank's flat bottom is equal to the weight of the water divided by the area of the tank's bottom.