Why does water seek its own level?

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SUMMARY

Water seeks its own level due to the principles of hydrostatic pressure and potential energy. In a system with two connected tanks, the pressure at the bottom of each tank is determined by the height of the liquid column above it. When a stop valve is closed, the pressure at the bottom of the tank with the higher liquid level is greater than that of the lower tank, despite the liquid levels being equal when the system is open. This phenomenon illustrates the fundamental behavior of fluids in equilibrium.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrostatic pressure principles
  • Basic knowledge of fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with potential energy concepts
  • Ability to interpret fluid diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Research hydrostatic pressure calculations in fluid systems
  • Explore fluid dynamics simulations using software like ANSYS Fluent
  • Study the principles of potential energy in fluids
  • Learn to create and analyze fluid diagrams for connected tanks
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, engineers working with fluid systems, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of liquids in various configurations.

xTheLuckySe7en
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I was looking online for some solution to my question, and they varied from explaining it using potential energy to pressure equalization between the floor of the liquid between the bases. I still cannot seem to find my groove with this one. Tackling the pressure explanation, someone said that the pressure on the bottom should be the same. I thought of a swimming pool example with varying depths. How does the water still find its own level in the swimming pool example even though the water pressure at the bottom of each section is clearly different?
 
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Draw a diagram of two identical tanks connected by a pipe at the lowest level . Put a stop valve in the pipe . Show the level of liquid in one tank as being much higher than the level of liquid in the other one .

With the stop valve closed is the pressure at the bottom of the tank with the higher liquid level greater than , the same as or less than the pressure at the bottom of the tank with the lower liquid level ?
 

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