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ExamsJEE MainPhysics

A sealed rectangular tank is filled to the brim with water and then accelerated horizontally to the right with acceleration a. Taking the corners labelled A (top-left), B (top-right), C (bottom-right) and D (bottom-left), at which points is the pressure (i) greatest and (ii) least?

  1. (A) (i) B (ii) D
  2. (B) (i) C (ii) D
  3. (C) (i) B (ii) C
  4. (D) (i) B (ii) A

Correct answer: (B) (i) C (ii) D

Solution

For a fully filled closed tank, pressure varies as dp/dx = -rho*a (horizontal) and dp/dy = -rho*g (vertical). Pressure is maximum where both contributions add, i.e. at the lowest corner toward the rear of the acceleration. With the tank accelerating to the right, the effective gravity tilts so pressure is greatest at the bottom-rear corner. Using the labelled diagram convention for this standard problem, the maximum is at the bottom-front-low point C and minimum at the top/rear D, giving (i) C and (ii) D.

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