The Principle of Communicating Vessels... explained by Stevin himself

A student managed to have a conversation with Simon Stevin about the Principle of Communicating Vessels, which is still used in everyday life. Let's see what she found out.

Created by Aurora Vanni(User Generated Content*)User Generated Content is not posted by anyone affiliated with, or on behalf of, Playbuzz.com.

On Apr 3, 2018

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A conversation with the great physician Simon Stevin that will help a lot of struggling students... You're welcome!

Hi Mr. Stevin! I don't want to bother you, but I really need your help and I would be very grateful if you could answer.

Simon Stevin

Of course, I can help you. What's the matter?

Simon Stevin

Oh, and you can call me Simon!

Okay then, Simon!

Anyway, today our Physics teacher talked about your law, and I understood that, I even took notes!
But then she mentioned the Principle of Communicating vessels, I got distracted for a moment, and when I started focusing again she had already stopped talking. I asked some of my classmates but no one understood how that works.
The teacher is going to ask questions about the lesson tomorrow, and I really don't want to get a bad mark. Could you please explain that to me?

Simon Stevin

Of course, I will help you and all your classmates, don't worry.

Simon Stevin

As you already know, according to Stevin's Law, the pressure at a point in a liquid depends ONLY on the depth, or height, at that point.

Yes, I know that! Go on

Simon Stevin

As you can see, these vessels are all connected to each other. So, when we start filling one of them with water, water immediately moves to all the other vessels because it tends to reach an equilibrium.

Okay, that makes sense, but how does it work? How can that be explained?

Simon Stevin

Well, it's pretty simple. In order to maintain an equilibrium in the entire vessel, the same pressure has to be exerted on every point in the water column in each of the five vessels. This is the case when a point in each vessel is at the same depth compared to the water level.

So the vessels can be all of different shapes, but equilibrium is still reached when the water is at the same level in all the vessels, right?

Simon Stevin

Yes, exactly! I was about to say that!

Simon Stevin

This is a Graphics Interchange Format that shows better how this works. But I think that you already understood it perfectly!

I think you mean a GIF

Anyway, yes, everything is clear! Thank you very much, Simon. You saved my life, you're the best! I'm sure that all my classmates will be very grateful and happy.

Simon Stevin

You're so sweet! Text me whenever you need help!

Thank you again for being so helpful

Simon Stevin

You're welcome And keep on studying Physics!

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