Vapour Pressure: Pressure Exerted on Liquid & Container

[johnathon]

According to Wikipedia, vapour pressure is the pressure of a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases in a closed system.
Does that mean the pressure the vapour exerts on the container or the pressure the vapour exerts on the liquid?

 

[Jano L.]

Jonathon,
if we compare the pressure of saturated vapor on the container at the level of the liquid and the pressure on the liquid, these are the same, by Pascal's law - in fluids, static pressure is the same in all directions. This is the pressure given as "pressure of saturated vapor" in tables (depends on the temperature and the curvature of liquid surface).

If the pressure on the container was considered at higher altitude, this would be lower due to gravity (look for barometric formula).

Jano