A rectangular tank 7 m wide is layered with 8 m of oil (rho = 880 kg/m3), 6 m of water, and 4 m of mercury (rho = 13,600 kg/m3). The tank is surrounded by air at atmospheric pressure and the top is open. Calculate the total force on the side of the tank.

The total force is (4,626,384L) Newton

Explanation:

Total force = total pressure * area of rectangular tank

Area of rectangular tank = Length (L) * Width (W) = L * 7 = (7L) m^2

Pressure (P) h*rho*g

height (h) of oil = 8m, rho = 880kg/m^3

Poil = 8*880*9.8 = 68,992N/m^2

height (h) of water = 6m, rho = 1000kg/m^2

Pwater = 6*1000*9.8 = 58,800N/m^2

height (h) of mercury = 4m, rho = 13,600kg/m^3

Pmercury = 4*13,600*9.8 = 533,120N/m^2

Total pressure = Poil + Pwater + Pmercury = 68,992N/m^2 + 58,800N/m^2 + 533,120N/m^2 = 660,912N/m^2

Total force = 660,912N/m^2 * (7L) m^2 = (4,626,384L) Newton