Question

d. On the afternoon of January 15, 1919, an unusually warm day in Boston, a 17.7-m-high, 27.4-m-diameter cylindrical metal tank used for storing molasses ruptured. Molasses flooded into the streets in a 5-m-deep stream, killing pedestrians and horses and knocking down buildings. The molasses had a density of 1600 kg>m3 . If the tank was full before the accident, what was the total outward force the molasses exerted on its sides

Answer 1

F = 1.638 x 10⁸ N = 163.8 MN

Step-by-step explanation:

The total force exerted by the molasses is given as:

F = PA

where,

F = Force exerted by the molasses = ?

P = Pressure = ρgh

ρ = density of molasses = 1600 kg/m³

g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s²

h = height of tank = 17.7 m

A = cross-sectional area of tank = πr²

r = radius of tank = 27.4 m/2 = 13.7 m

Therefore,

`F = \rho ghA = \rho gh(\pi r^2)\\\\F = (1600\ kg/m^3)(9.81\ m/s^2)(17.7\ m)(\pi)(13.7\ m)^2`

F = 1.638 x 10⁸ N = 163.8 MN