Water Tower
Standards Assessed: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2
Name ________________________
Geometry
Directions: Modern water towers have been in use since the 18th
century and can be seen throughout the world. Pressurization
occurs through the elevation of water; for every 2.34 feet of
elevation 1 PSI (pounds of pressure per square inch) is produced.
Water towers come in many different shapes and sizes.
One of the most common shapes has a semi-sphere for the
bottom, a cylinder for the body, and a cone for the top. If one
gallon equals 0.13368 cubic feet, find how many gallons the
water tower in the picture will hold (note: do not include the cone
on top, it only acts as a protective cover). Make sure you include
an explanation with necessary computations, sketches, formulas,
and notes.
Important measurements you may need:
-the radius of the semi-sphere and cylinder are both 15 feet
-the height of the cylinder is 40 feet
-the height of the cone is 12 feet
-the height of the tower is 120 feet from the ground to the base of the tank
Occasionally water towers need painted to provide protection to the outer surface.
Usually one gallon of paint will cover 400 square feet of surface. Using this information
find how many gallons of paint will be required to paint the entire outer surface of the
water tower (The cone, cylinder, and semi-sphere). Make sure you include an explanation
with necessary computations, sketches, formulas, and notes.
Find much water pressure (in PSI) is created by the tank. Make sure you include an
explanation with necessary computations, sketches, formulas, and notes.