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Chapter 4: Problem 18

If the acceleration from gravity on Earth suddenly increased, would this affect the atmospheric pressure? Would it affect the pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Explain your answer. Answer: Yes, an increase in the acceleration due to gravity on Earth would affect both atmospheric pressure and pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool. This is because the weight of the columns of fluid (air and water) above these points would increase with the greater gravity, leading to increased pressure.

Step by step solution

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1. Understanding Pressure

Pressure is defined as force per unit area. In the context of the atmosphere and a body of water, pressure increases with depth as the weight of the overlying fluid (air or water) leads to a greater force. Thus, the pressure at the bottom of the atmosphere or a swimming pool is higher than at the surface due to the weight of the fluid acting on it.
02

2. Acceleration due to Gravity

Acceleration due to gravity is the force that attracts objects towards the center of mass of the Earth. This force is responsible for objects having weight. Thus, when the acceleration due to gravity is stronger, the weight of an object becomes greater.
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3. Effect of Gravity on Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the result of the weight of the column of air above a point on Earth's surface. The weight of this column of air depends on the mass of the air and the acceleration due to gravity (Weight = Mass × Gravity). If the acceleration due to gravity on Earth suddenly increased, the weight of the column of air would also increase, leading to an increased atmospheric pressure.
04

4. Effect of Gravity on Pressure at the Bottom of a Swimming Pool

Similar to atmospheric pressure, the pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool depends on the weight of the column of water above that point (Pressure = Weight/Area = (Mass × Gravity)/Area). As the acceleration due to gravity increases, so does the weight of the water column. Consequently, the pressure at the bottom of the swimming pool would also increase. #InSummary# An increase in the acceleration due to gravity would cause both atmospheric pressure and pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool to increase, as the weight of the columns of fluid (air and water) above these points would increase with the greater gravity.

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