Physics 5054 · O Level · Pressure

Pressure — practice question

A tank that is very deep is used to train sailors to escape from submarines. It is cylindrical and open to the air at the top. Fig. 3.1 illustrates the tank. The area of the tank’s base is $45\,\text{m}^2$ and water fills the tank to a depth of 32 m.
(a)[2]

Water has density $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$ and the gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. Calculate the pressure produced by the water on the tank base.

(b(i))[1]

The pressure in the water at the base of the tank is $4.2\times10^5\,\text{Pa}$. Explain why the pressure in the water at the base of the tank is not the same as the value found in (a).

(b(ii))[2]

Calculate the force on the base of the tank.

(c)[1]

Force is a vector quantity and pressure is a scalar quantity. State how a vector quantity is different from a scalar quantity.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Apply p = ρgh

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