The sketch to the right depicts an open tank with an opening

The sketch to the right depicts an open tank with an opening on its side. The opening is covered with a flange that is held in place by bolts arranged in a circle around the periphery of the flange. Which of the following choices provides the best description of how the hydrostatic load on the bolts would change if the diameter D is changed? Increases linearly with D Increases with D^2 Is independent of D Decreases as 1/D Decreases as 1/D^2 Varies with D in some way not listed here

Solution

Answer is c

Hydrostatic load on the bolts is independent of D.

Hydrostatic load on flange= pressure * area of flange = (density*g*h)*area

where h is depth of flange from water surface.

As you can clearly see, force/ pressure depends upon density and depth only, not diameter of container.