Difference between capacity and reservoir.

The concepts of "capacity" and "reservoir" are very close, and it may seem that they are synonyms. But there are noticeable differences between them. What are they?

What is capacity?

Under capacity means any object in which something can be placed. It will not necessarily be airtight or designed to hold liquids; for example, a fruit basket will also count as a container. Although, of course, the corresponding term is traditionally associated with something hermetic, capable of reliably holding a liquid or, for example, small loose objects.

As a rule, such an object has value in terms of the possibility of measuring (at least approximate) the volume of a product or substance that can be placed in it. That is, for example, using a container in the form of a bucket, a person knows that it holds about 10 liters of water or, relatively speaking, 7-8 kilograms of apples. If he has a medium-sized plate at his disposal, he will know that it will contain about 200 grams of soup.

As a rule, containers are used for temporary placement of any products or substances. It is assumed that they will be used for various economic purposes soon after being placed in the container. So, water taken from a well with a bucket, as a rule, is poured into another vessel within a few minutes and used to prepare drinks or dishes. Apples placed in the basket after picking are usually soon eaten or used to make jam or puree.

A container is usually a small household item. Usually, its dimensions do not imply the placement of liquids or products in mass exceeding that which a person can lift.

If the water taken from the well with the help of a container - a bucket, is supposed to be used for a long time, then it can be placed already in the reservoir. Let's study what its specificity is.

What is a reservoir?

Under a reservoir, it is customary to understand, in turn, a sealed object designed specifically to accommodate liquids, and, moreover, for a long period. Therefore, it must not only be airtight, but also sufficiently strong. For example, a hygienic plastic bottle or barrel can be a reliable reservoir for water.

A reservoir, like a container, usually has a specific volume. But it is often not considered as the most significant economic characteristic of the vessel. The main requirement for the reservoir is the preservation of the liquid, the maintenance of its basic properties and purity.

A plastic bottle or barrel are particular examples of the vessels under consideration, which can be presented in a variety of ways. Industrial reservoirs are often huge: their capacity is expressed in thousands of cubic meters. For example, such are the reservoirs in oil storage facilities, reservoirs.

Comparison

Despite the similarity of the terms under consideration, there is more than one difference between the capacity and the reservoir. The difference between them can be traced in a variety of parameters. Such as, for example:

• volume (a container, as a rule, is a small object, while a reservoir can be a huge vessel);
• duration of use (the container is most often used for short-term storage of products and substances, the reservoir is used for long-term storage);
• purpose (the tank can be used to accommodate any substances - liquid, solid; the tank, as a rule, is designed to accommodate a liquid).

In a number of contexts, the terms "capacity" and "reservoir" can be used interchangeably. For example, if we are talking about the same barrel. It can be used as a temporary container for storing and transporting water, or as a reservoir for its long-term storage.

Having determined what is the difference between the tank and the tank, we reflect the conclusions in a small table.

Table