Case study·Standard multi-step (3/5)·No calculator
Difficulty guide
The label describes the problem, not your ability.
1/5 - Foundational
Warm-up setup; checks one basic idea.
2/5 - Routine exam skill
Normal syllabus skill; usually one main rule or interpretation.
3/5 - Standard multi-step
Exam-style problem with multiple steps or a common trap.
4/5 - Hard exam skill
High-end exam problem; combines methods carefully.
5/5 - Challenge
Stretch problem beyond normal exam pressure.
Question
A dam wall must hold back water. At one location the water is deep. Engineers make the lower part of the wall much thicker than the upper part.
Total: 4 marks
(a) Find the gauge pressure at the bottom of the water column. (1 mark)
(b) Find the gauge pressure halfway down, at depth . (1 mark)
(c) Explain why the lower part of the dam needs greater strength. (1 mark)
(d) Does the pressure at a point depend on the total length of the reservoir? Explain briefly. (1 mark)
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