Calculate the pressure produced at the base of a half full water tank 80 feet tall with a 60-foot diameter.
A) 17.32 psi
B) 34.64 psi
C) 69.28 psi
D) 8.6 psi

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure at the base of a tank filled with liquid can be calculated using the formula $P = \rho gh$, where $P$ is the pressure, $\rho$ is the density of the liquid (for water, $\rho = 62.4 \, \text{lb/ft}^3$), $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity ($g = 32.2 \, \text{ft/s}^2$), and $h$ is the height of the liquid column above the point where the pressure is being calculated. Since the tank is half full, $h = 40 \, \text{ft}$. Therefore, $P = 62.4 \times 32.2 \times 40 / 144$ (to convert from $\text{lb/ft}^2$ to psi, divide by 144). This calculation gives $P = 17.32 \, \text{psi}$.

Calculate the Pressure Produced at the Base of a Half