Two cylindrical vessels of equal cross sectional area of 2 m2 contain water up to heights 10 m and 6 m, respectively. If the vessels are connected at their bottom then the work done by the force of gravity is (Density of water is 103 kg/m3 and g = 10 m/s2)
- 1 105 J
- 4 104 J
- 8 104 J
- 6 104 J
Answer
(3) 8 104 J
Solution
Equal areas ⇒ common final height = 10 + 62 = 8 m
Potential energy of a water column of height h (centre of mass at h2): U = A h g h2 = g A h22
Ui = g A2(102 + 62) = 68 g A
Uf = g A2(82 + 82) = 64 g A
Work done by gravity = Ui - Uf = 4 g A
= 4 103 10 2
= 8 104 J
Answer: (3)