In the tank filled with gasoline at a depth of 2.5 m there is a tap with an area of 20 cm².

In the tank filled with gasoline at a depth of 2.5 m there is a tap with an area of 20 cm². Find the force of gasoline pressure on this tap?

Given:

h = 2.5 meters – the depth at which the tap is located in a tank filled with gasoline;

ro = 750 kg / m3 (kilogram per cubic meter) – gasoline density;

s = 20 cm2 (square centimeters) – crane surface area;

g = 9.8 N / kg (Newton / kilogram) – acceleration of gravity.

It is required to determine F (Newton) – the force with which gasoline presses on the tap.

We translate the units of measurement of the area into the SI system:

s = 20 cm2 = 20 * 10-4 = 20/10000 = 0.002 m2 (square meters).

Let’s find the pressure of a column of gasoline at a depth of h:

P = ro * g * h = 750 * 9.8 * 2.5 = 7350 * 2.5 = 18375 Pascal.

Then the force will be equal to:

F = P * s = 18375 * 0.002 = 36.75 Newton.

Answer: gasoline presses on the tap with a force equal to 36.75 Newtons.