A tank contains mercury, whose density is 13 600 kg/m3. Find the force exerted by the mercury on a circular plug at the bottom of the tank. The plug has a diameter of 2.54 cm, and is located 37.6 cm below the surface of the mercury.

Question

A tank contains mercury, whose density is 13 600 kg/m3.  Find the force exerted by the mercury on a circular plug at the bottom of the tank.  The plug has a diameter of 2.54 cm, and is located 37.6 cm below the surface of the mercury.

bobpursley · Answer

volume of cylinder above the plug

V=AreaPlug*heightmercury (note volume in cm^3)

change volume to meters cubed

Vm^3=V/1E6

now the weight of the mercury in that cylinder is density*g*volume

force=that weight