Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?

1. Mar 12, 2012

brainst0rm

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

In this conjoined container, water is filled up to the top at all three openings. Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?

/~\|~~~|\~~~~~~~/
 /~~\|~~~|\~~~~~~/
/~~~\|~~~|\~~~~~/
/~~~~\|~~~|\~C~~/
/~~A~~\_______|~B~|________\~~/
/_____________C__________________/

Key: ~ represents water
 ignore, represents space (used to post on forum)

2. Relevant equations

Pascal’s law, Pressure = Force/Area

3. The attempt at a solution

I think point C has the highest pressure point because two forces act on it from left to right and right to left. However, the pressure equilibrium comes to play and I am unsure which point displays the highest point of pressure. My second guess would be point C due to the higher force pushing downwards. What is the right answer? Thanks.

2. Mar 12, 2012

tiny-tim

welcome to pf!

hi brainst0rm! welcome to pf!

i'm confused

why are there two Cs in the diagram?

3. Mar 12, 2012

brainst0rm

Re: Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined containe

Oops. I revised the data points with one point C and one point D.

Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

In this conjoined container, water is filled up to the top at all three openings. Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined container?

/~\|~~~|\~~~~~~~/
 /~~\|~~~|\~~~~~~/
/~~~\|~~~|\~~~~~/
/~~~~\|~~~|\~C~~/
/~~A~~\_______|~B~|________\~~'/
/_____________D__________________/

Key: ~ represents water
ignore, represents space (used to post on forum)

2. Relevant equations

Pascal’s law, Pressure = Force/Area

3. The attempt at a solution

I think point D has the highest pressure point because two forces act on it from left to right and right to left. However, the pressure equilibrium comes to play and I am unsure which point displays the highest point of pressure. My second guess would be point C due to the higher force pushing downwards. What is the right answer? Thanks.

4. Mar 12, 2012

tiny-tim

right, but for the wrong reason

(i don't even understand the reason…

pressure acts left right and all around everywhere )

the pressure in a liquid is ρgh (+ atmospheric pressure) …

are you not familiar with that formula?​

5. Mar 12, 2012

brainst0rm

Re: Which letter point shows the highest point of pressure in this conjoined containe

P = pgh, or Pressure = (Density) x (gravity due to acceleration) x (height). Because all points share the same density and gravity due to acceleration, the highest pressure point would be the point with the largest height, which is Point D.

6. Mar 12, 2012

tiny-tim

hi brainst0rm!
yes, that's right …

the shape of the container doesn't matter …

so long as it's open to the atmosphere, the pressure only depends on the depth