Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
water flows out of the hole of a bucket and follows parabolic path. If the bucket falls freely under ravity, the water flow (ignoring air resistance)
Explanation
When a bucket is stationary, gravity creates hydrostatic pressure that forces water out through a hole, following a parabolic trajectory relative to the ground [t4]. However, when the bucket is allowed to fall freely, both the bucket and the water inside accelerate downward at the same rate, g (approximately 9.81 m/s²) [t1][t5]. In this state of weightlessness relative to the bucket's frame, the effective gravity becomes zero. According to Bernoulli's principle, the pressure difference required to drive the flow vanishes because the water is no longer 'pressing' against the bottom or sides of the container [t2]. Consequently, the water stops flowing out of the hole entirely during the period of free fall [t1][t2]. While cohesive forces might cause minor 'blobs' to form at the opening, the continuous stream observed during stationary conditions ceases because the bucket no longer 'gets in the way' of the water's natural fall [t1].
SIMILAR QUESTIONS
5 Cross-Linked PYQs
UPSC repeats concepts across years. Login to see how this question connects to 5 others.
Login with Google