The three containers in Fig. 10–44 are filled with water

Step 1 of 4

Let be the mass of water in the first container. As a result, the downward force of gravity on the water is. Only a force perpendicular to the walls, horizontal for the first container, enters the side walls. A net upward force of must be applied to keep the water at rest. This is the normal force exerted by the container's bottom. This upward force equals the pressure at the container's bottom multiplied by the container's area, and it is the same for all three containers.