The Paradox of the Recoil Force Acting on a Leaking Water Tank

Abstract

In the first part of the article, we will outline the paradoxical picture that arises when attempting to calculate the recoil force of water that leaks at the bottom of a water tank. We will present three different options for recoil force acting on the water tank as a result of this leakage (in Chapters 1, 2 and 3). In the second part of the article, we will present an experiment that resolves this question (in Chapter 4). Finally (in Chapter 5), we will present a coherent picture of the description of the leakage and the result recoil force.