liquid's container. When pressure is applied to a liquid's container
in a downward direction, it will not only act on the bottom surface;
but on the sides and top as well.
Figure 1-3.
Transmission of Force Through Solids.
The illustration in Figure 1-4 helps to better understand this
explanation.
The piston on the top of the tube is driven downward
with a force of 100 psi.
This applied force produces an identical
pressure of 100 psi on every square inch of the interior surface.
Notice the pressure on the interior surface is always applied at
right angles to the walls of the container, regardless of its shape.
From this it can be seen that the forces acting within a body of
confined liquid are explosive in pattern. If all sides are equal in
strength, they will burst simultaneously if sufficient force is
applied.
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