Essay on The Physics of a Toilet - 1526 Words

The Physics of a Toilet Almost everyone in America has used, is using at this very moment or will use a flushable, indoor toilet. Their privacy, and in some cases cleanliness, are taken for granted day by day. The basic physics of siphoning, and the right amount of water, makes the toilet operate in our desired fashion. This has been the concept of toilets for over 200 years. Some questions do come to mind when witnessing this event; how does the water and waste get sucked out of the toilet bowl? Why does the water get sucked out in a spinning motion? Does it matter which side of the hemisphere creates a certain trend of spin in the water? These phenomena are more common than one may think, these things happen through a variety†¦show more content†¦The bowl siphon is the one mechanism that makes the flushing feat possible. Its the gooseneck section leading from the toilet bowl to the sewage pipes. According to the online howstuffworks.com, the siphon is Any pipe, hose or tube that is used to move a liquid from a higher location to a lower location. The actual design of the siphon is dependent on the effect caused by it. The function also depends on the amount of water being transferred to the toilet bowl at one given moment. The tank of the toilet contains approximately 2 gallons (7.6 liters) of water, when all of that water is moved to the toilet bowl in a matter of seconds, all of the water going down the pipe creates the siphon effect, sucking everything out of the toilet. If I were to dump a cup of water, or 25 cups (6 liters) of water for that matter, it would not be enough to create the siphon effect. The water would only spill over in the mechanism and drain itself to be level with the highest point of the gooseneck bowl siphon. Doctor Louis A. Bloomfield, at the online site physicscentral.com, explains that the siphon effect works with the combination of water and gravity at their finest. H2O has its own variety of different potential energies. Gravitational potential energy is at work all night, all day, and every second in-between, while water has its own potential energy due to having either low or high-pressure. Waters total potential energy includes gravitational potentialShow MoreRelatedNewtons Laws of Motion858 Words   |  3 Pagesaction, there is an equal and opposite reaction (Newton’s Third Law). Another concept of Physics is moving water. For example, flushing the toilet, waterfalls and dams. Flushing a toilet is a great example of transferring energy. Usually on most toilets there is tan on the back of it filled with water. Water that is stored is a great example of potential energy and no kinetic energy. Once toilet is flushed, it gives the water momentum. 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