Question

What is the hydrostatic paradox? Illustrate with the help of a diagram.

Answer 1

Hydrostatic paradox:

1. The pressure exerted by a column of liquid depends only on the height of the liquid, and not on the shape and size of the containing vessel.
2. This means that whatever the shape of the vessel, the pressure at the bottom of each of them will be the same, provided the height of the liquid in all of them is the same.
3. This is known as the hydrostatic paradox.