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Two containers are able to hold the same volume, but they have different shapes. Container 4 is very tall and very narrow, while container B is much shorter but much wider. If both containers are filled with the same amount of water, which of the following conclusions about pressure can be made?

A. The pressure at the top of the water is higher in container B than in container A.
B. The pressure at the bottom of the water is the same for both containers.
C. The pressure at the midway point between the top and bottom surfaces of the water is greater in container A than in container B.
D. The pressure at a point 1 cm from the top surface of the water is greater in container A than in container B.

User Scarnet
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Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's analyze each option with explanations and evidence:

A. The pressure at the top of the water is higher in container B than in container A.

This statement is not necessarily true. Pressure in a fluid increases with depth, so the pressure at the bottom of the containers will be higher than at the top. The shape of the container does not directly impact the pressure at the top of the water. However, if the containers are open to the atmosphere, the pressure at the top will be atmospheric pressure for both containers, regardless of their shapes.

B. The pressure at the bottom of the water is the same for both containers.

This statement is true. The pressure at the bottom of a fluid column depends only on the depth and the density of the fluid, not on the shape of the container. If both containers are filled with the same amount of water, they will have the same depth of water, resulting in the same pressure at the bottom.

C. The pressure at the midway point between the top and bottom surfaces of the water is greater in container A than in container B.

This statement is not necessarily true. If both containers hold the same volume of water, the height of the water column will be different due to their different shapes. The pressure at a given depth depends on the height of the fluid column above it. In this case, since container A is taller, the pressure at the midway point might be greater in container A, depending on the specific heights and dimensions of the containers.

D. The pressure at a point 1 cm from the top surface of the water is greater in container A than in container B.

This statement is not necessarily true. The pressure at a certain depth in a fluid column is determined by the height of the fluid column above that point and the density of the fluid, not the shape of the container. If both containers have the same amount of water, the depth of 1 cm below the top surface will be the same in both containers, resulting in the same pressure at that point.

In conclusion, based on the information provided, the only conclusion that can be definitively made is:

B. The pressure at the bottom of the water is the same for both containers.

The other conclusions (A, C, and D) are not necessarily true and depend on additional information about the specific dimensions and heights of the containers.

User Pconnell
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