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A water storage tower is filled with freshwater to a depth of 6.4 m. What is the pressure at (a) 4.5 m and (b) 5.5 m below the surface of the water? (c) Why are the metal bands on such towers more closely spaced near the base of the tower?

User Sundeep
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Final answer:

The pressure at a depth in a fluid increases as the depth increases. The metal bands on water storage towers are more closely spaced near the base to withstand the higher pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pressure at a certain depth in a fluid is determined by the height of the fluid column above it. The pressure in a fluid increases with depth. The pressure at a depth of 4.5 m below the surface of the water in the storage tower would be less than the pressure at a depth of 5.5 m. This is because the pressure increases as the depth increases.

To calculate the pressure at a certain depth, we can use the formula:

Pressure = Density × g × Depth

Where:

Density is the density of the fluid.

g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Depth is the depth below the surface of the fluid.

Now, since both depths are below the surface of the water, the density and acceleration due to gravity remain constant. Therefore, the pressure would be lower at 4.5 m compared to 5.5 m.

The metal bands on water storage towers are more closely spaced near the base of the tower because the pressure exerted by the weight of the water is higher at the base. The closer spacing of the metal bands provides additional support and strength to withstand the higher pressure.

User Bnqtoan
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