Physics & Astronomy

Torricelli�s Tank

Purpose
To show that pressure increases with depth, resulting in greater flow velocity from holes at greater depths
Location
Room 136, shelf O5
Description
With stoppers in the holes on the side, fill the cylinder with water and position it next to a sink. Pull all three stoppers out and observe that the lower the hole, the straighter out the water stream goes. This implies that the lower the hole, the greater the horizontal velocity, which in turn implies a greater force (i.e. pressure) forcing the water thru the hole.