Chapter 1
Ancient channels of the gods
Chapter 2
The Great Stink and the trap of genius
Chapter 3
The physics of the flush
Chapter 4
The future of the flow
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of pipes
Ch 3 · The physics of the flush
artiteacher The Physics of the Flush
Water fills the S-trap, gravity drops the pressure, pulling down the siphon with no pumps at all.
artiteacher Rushing tank water fills the curved trapway to trigger a vacuum siphon, emptying the bowl until air breaks
artiteacher Thick water pipes and strong booster pumps run inside a modern skyscraper.
Fun Fact
Acoustic leak hunting: Modern plumbers use high-tech microphones to 'listen' through concrete and locate underground pipe leaks by their tiny vibrations.
Glossary
siphon (noun)
A tube or pipe that uses atmospheric pressure and gravity to pull liquid upward and then discharge it at a lower level. In 1885, Thomas Twyford utilized this hydraulic mechanism to build the first all-ceramic siphonic toilet.
A tube or pipe that uses atmospheric pressure and gravity to pull liquid upward and then discharge it at a lower level. In 1885, Thomas Twyford utilized this hydraulic mechanism to build the first all-ceramic siphonic toilet.
Quiz
How do modern skyscrapers prevent falling wastewater from shattering pipes at the bottom of the building?
Quiz
Why is a P-trap shaped with a curve instead of being a straight, vertical pipe?
Quiz
What keeps drinking water from flowing backward and contaminating a city's clean water supply?
Quiz
Why does every home plumbing system require a vent stack pipe that exits through the roof?
Quiz
What physical effect causes a modern siphon toilet to empty its bowl so rapidly?