Question

A dam has broader walls at the bottom than at the top.

Answer 1

1. The pressure exerted by a liquid is, $Pressure\left(P\right)=height\left(h\right)\times density\left(d\right)\times accelerationduetogravity\left(g\right).$
2. The pressure exerted by a liquid is dependent on the depth.
3. As the depth increase, the pressure applied by water on the walls of the dam also increases.
4. Since, $P\alpha \frac{1}{A}$, to decrease pressure, broader walls are made at the bottom of the dam.

Hence, In order to withstand, a dam has broader walls at the bottom than at the top.