The Barometer Equation
Where is the pressure greater, at the surface of the water, 1, or at the bottom of the tank, 2 ?
P2 > P1
because atmospheric pressure plus the weight of all of the water in the tank is pushing down on the fluid at the bottom of the tank.
If we assume the fluid in the tank is at equlibrium, then the forces acting on it must be balanced.
Pressure forces at the bottom and top of the water act in opposite directions and the weight of the water acts in the downward direction:
The Barometer Equation
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