Question

Explain why the walls of a dam are thicker near the bottom than at the top.

Answer 1

1. The pressure of the liquid increases with an increase in depth.
2. As the depth of liquid increases the weight of the liquid column above the particular point increases.
3. As the weight of the liquid column increases so the pressure of the liquid increases with depth.
4. So in order to withstand the greater pressure applied by the water, the walls of the dam are thicker at the bottom.