---
title: "Three containers have the same base area \\( A \\) and are filled with water to the same height \\( h \\), but they have different shapes: one is cylindrical, one widens toward the top, and one narrows toward the top. Which of the following is true regarding the gauge pressure \\( P \\) at the bottom and the total force \\( F \\) exerted by the fluid on the base?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/107132/"
date_modified: "2026-08-18T02:38:22+00:00"
---

# Three containers have the same base area \( A \) and are filled with water to the same height \( h \), but they have different shapes: one is cylindrical, one widens toward the top, and one narrows toward the top. Which of the following is true regarding the gauge pressure \( P \) at the bottom and the total force \( F \) exerted by the fluid on the base?

Three containers have the same base area \( A \) and are filled with water to the same height \( h \), but they have different shapes: one is cylindrical, one widens toward the top, and one narrows toward the top. Which of the following is true regarding the gauge pressure \( P \) at the bottom and the total force \( F \) exerted by the fluid on the base?

- **A.** The cylindrical container has the greatest \( F \) because the weight of the water is directly over the base.
- **B.** The gauge pressure \( P \) and the force \( F \) are the same for all three containers.
- **C.** The widening container has the greatest \( P \) and \( F \) because it holds the most water.
- **D.** The narrowing container has the greatest \( P \) because the water is ‘squeezed’ at the bottom.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/107132/*