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Chapter 4: Problem 20

Is there a pressure variation (increase with depth) in a fuel tank on a spacecraft in orbit? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
If so, what is the reason behind it? Answer: No, there is no pressure variation with depth in a fuel tank of a spacecraft in orbit. This is due to the microgravity environment experienced by the spacecraft, causing the fuel to be essentially weightless and eliminating the pressure gradient that would exist under Earth's gravity.

Step by step solution

01

1. Understanding pressure in a fluid

Pressure in a fluid at rest is a result of the force exerted by the fluid on a certain area. As you go deeper into the fluid, the pressure increases due to the increasing weight of the fluid above it, which exerts a force onto the deeper fluid. This pressure variation is mainly due to gravity acting on the fluid.
02

2. Considering the spacecraft in orbit

A spacecraft in orbit is in a state of free-fall, experiencing microgravity, which is essentially a continuous state of free-fall towards Earth. In this state, the spacecraft and everything inside it (including the fuel tank and Fuel) are falling towards Earth at the same rate. This means that the force of gravity is not acting on the fuel in the same way it would on Earth.
03

3. Microgravity and pressure distribution inside the fuel tank

Due to the microgravity experienced by the spacecraft and its contents, the fuel inside the tank is essentially experiencing weightlessness. This means that, unlike on Earth where the pressure increases with depth in a fluid, there isn't a significant pressure gradient within the fuel tank. In microgravity, the pressure distribution is relatively uniform, and there is no pressure variation with depth.
04

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no pressure variation with depth in a fuel tank in a spacecraft in orbit. This is due to the unique conditions experienced by the spacecraft and its contents in microgravity, which makes the fuel essentially weightless and eliminates the pressure gradient that would exist on Earth.

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