Final answer:
Fluid pressure depends on depth with the formula P = hpg. The difference in pressure at different levels causes the buoyant force, as explained by Archimedes' Principle. This force can make objects float, sink, or remain suspended.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question posed relates to fluid pressure and the force exerted by fluids at different depths. According to principals of fluid mechanics, in a static fluid, the pressure at any given point is dependent only on the depth of that point, given by the equation P = hpg, where P is the pressure, h is the height of the fluid column, p is the fluid density, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This equation accounts for the weight of the fluid above the point in question. When considering an object submerged in a fluid, the buoyant force arises due to the difference in pressure between the bottom and the top of the object; it is this buoyant force that keeps the object afloat or causes it to sink depending on its relation to the object's weight.
For fluids of constant density like water, this approximation is quite accurate, and any object immersed in such a fluid will experience an upward force from the bottom that is greater than the force from the upper level. This is why we emphasize the pressure due to the upper layer of fluid since it contributes to the net difference known as the buoyant force. The Archimedes' Principle encapsulates this concept, stating that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.