Question

A tall cylinder contains 25 cm of water. Oil is carefully poured into the cylinder, where it floats on top of the water, until the total liquid depth is 40 cm. What is the gauge pressure at the bottom of the cylinder?

A) 20 N/m²
B) 30 N/m²
C) 10 N/m²
D) 15 N/m²

Answer 1

The gauge pressure at the bottom of the cylinder can be calculated by subtracting the pressure due to the water from the pressure due to the oil.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the gauge pressure at the bottom of the cylinder, we need to consider the pressure due to the water and the pressure due to the oil. The gauge pressure at the bottom of the cylinder is equal to the difference in the pressures of the oil and the water at that depth.

The pressure due to the water can be calculated using the formula: pressure = density * gravitational acceleration * height. Substituting the values, we get: pressure = 1000 kg/m³ * 9.8 m/s² * 25 cm.

Similarly, the pressure due to the oil can be calculated using the same formula: pressure = 900 kg/m³ * 9.8 m/s² * (40 cm - 25 cm).

The gauge pressure at the bottom of the cylinder is the difference between the pressures of the oil and the water: gauge pressure = pressure of oil - pressure of water.