Bore-hole of depth 2000 m contains both oil and water as shown. Pressure due to the liquids

Question 431: [Pressure] (Past Exam Paper – June 2013 Paper 11 Q21)


Bore-hole of depth 2000 m contains both oil and water as shown. Pressure due to the liquids at bottom of the bore-hole is 17.5 MPa. Density of the oil is 830 kg m–3 and density of the water is 1000 kg m–3.


What is depth x of the oil?
A 907 m                      B 1000 m                    C 1090 m                    D 1270 m




Solution 431:

Answer: D.
The pressure at the bottom of the bore-hole (= 17.5MPa) is the sum of pressures exerted by water and oil on the bottom.

Pressure at a point = hρg
where h is the length of the column of the liquid above that point.

For the column of water,

Pressure exerted by water = (2000 – x) (1000) (9.81)

Where x is the length of the column of oil

For the column of oil,

Pressure exerted by oil = x (830) (9.81)

The sum of pressures is 17.5MPa.

(2000 – x) (1000) (9.81) + x (830) (9.81) = 17.5x106

(1.96x107) – 9810x + 8142.3x = 17.5x106

Length x = 1260m

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