How does the position of the fuel tank affect fuel flow?

The position of the fuel tank plays a crucial role in determining how fuel is delivered to the engine, most notably through the principles of gravity and pressure.

When tanks are positioned higher than the engine, gravity can assist in the flow of fuel towards the engine, allowing for a process known as gravity feed. This method relies on the natural force of gravity to move the fuel, which can simplify the system by minimizing the need for mechanical pumps. Consequently, if the fuel tank is located at a higher position, the necessity for additional pumps is reduced since gravity is effectively doing part of the work.

In contrast, when tanks are situated lower than the engine, the natural gravitational flow is impeded, which can necessitate the use of fuel pumps to ensure that fuel reaches the engine efficiently. These pumps must provide enough force to overcome the gravitational pull acting on the fuel, thus maintaining the necessary fuel pressure and flow rate.

Understanding this principle helps to inform designs and operational practices in aircraft fuel systems, making option B the most accurate representation of how tank position impacts fuel flow.