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Lesson: Chapter 15 — Fluid Pressure and Its Applications

15.2. Liquid pressure 3 of 8

The same at the same level

At the same level in a liquid, the pressure is the same everywhere. Showing it takes nothing but a plastic bottle and some water.

The experiment

Pierce several holes low down on a plastic bottle about 25 cm tall, all at the same level. Now fill it with water.

Figure to be added

Figure 15.2 — the apparatus showing liquid pressure at one level; the water from every hole in the bottle travels the same horizontal distance.

The observation

The water leaving all of the holes travels the same horizontal distance.

How the distance reports the pressure

The speed at which water leaves a hole depends on the pressure at that hole. A greater pressure sends the water out faster, and faster water travels further horizontally before it lands. Since the water from every hole went the same distance, the pressure at all of those holes must be equal.

The second property

At all points lying at the same level in a liquid, the pressures are equal.