A rectangular floodgate is 3.0 m high and hinged along its top edge

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Mechanical Properties of Fluids · Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Problem

A rectangular floodgate is 3.0 m high and hinged along its top edge. The gate holds back water whose surface is 5.0 m above the hinge line. Engineers wish to limit the net horizontal force on the gate to 4.0×104 N4.0\times10^4\,\text{N} for safety reasons. Assume ρwater=1000 kg/m3\rho_{\text{water}} = 1000\,\text{kg/m}^3 and g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2. (a) Calculate the average gauge pressure acting on the wet side of the gate. (b) Express the net horizontal force on the gate in terms of its width ww. (c) Determine the maximum allowable width of the gate so that the design requirement on force is met.

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