Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321993721
ISBN 13: 978-0-32199-372-4

Chapter 15 - For Thought and Discussion - Page 279: 9

Answer

Please see the work below.

Work Step by Step

We know that the pressure in a fluid increases linearly with the height from the surface of the water, so the pressure at the bottom of the dam is higher than the pressure at the top. As the pressure at the bottom is higher, the force is also higher and hence thicker walls need to be constructed as we go from the top to the bottom of the dam.
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