🔍 Key Concepts

• Hydro-pneumatic tank function – why air pressure and water volume must be in balance • What happens to system pressure when the air cushion is lost and the tank becomes "waterlogged" • How pump start/stop cycles are controlled by system pressure switches

💭 Think About

• Think about how the pump behaves if there is almost no compressible air cushion left in the tank – what does that do to pressure changes when a faucet is opened or closed? • If system pressure rises and falls very quickly instead of gradually, how will that affect how often the pump turns on and off? • Imagine the tank is almost completely full of water: does the pump need to run for a long time or a short time to change the system pressure?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify how a normal hydro-pneumatic tank operates: there should be a moderate length of pump running time followed by a moderate length of idle time. • Consider which option best matches a situation where even small draws of water cause rapid pressure swings. • Eliminate any choice that describes a condition where the pump never starts or never stops, and focus on the option that reflects rapid cycling due to loss of air charge.