Answer to Question #123241 in Classical Mechanics for Ashley

Question

When constructing a dam, the bottom of the dam is thicker than the top of the dam. The necessity of having a thick bottom is a result of
1 : the volume of the water behind the dam.
2 : the altitude of the body of water behind the dam.
3 : the depth of the water behind the dam.
4 : the community surrounding the dam

Answer 1

The pressure applied to walls of the dam will be a function of the amount of water that is over that particular point on the wall. So water pressure is very large at the bottom due to its large depth. That's why dams are constructed thicker at their bottoms than at their tops. 

Answer: 3 : the depth of the water behind the dam.