Question

The wall of a dam is broad at its base. Why does it happen?

Answer 1

According to the laws of physics, more area is related to lesser pressure experienced by an object.

Since a large amount of water at high pressure comes speeding in through the sluice gates of a dam, the base where the pressure is the highest is made broader to support the water pressure.

This causes less abrasion.

Answer 2

Explanation:

• The pressure of water increases when you go ‘deeper’ into the water source that is pressure here is “directly proportional to depth hence the walls of a dam are constructed wider in the base.
• The pressure is exerted on the ‘walls of the dam’ on the surface is less than the pressure in which water exerts at the bottom of the wall, to avoid any damage to the dam walls due to the pressure difference the walls are made thicker at bottom than on surface.