What is the pressure at the bottom of a water-filled cylinder that is 1 ft tall?

To determine the pressure at the bottom of a water-filled cylinder with a height of 1 foot, we can use the formula for hydrostatic pressure, which is given by:

Pressure (psi) = Height (ft) × Density of the fluid (lb/ft³) × Gravitational acceleration (ft/s²)

For water, the average density is approximately 62.4 lb/ft³. When considering the gravitational factor, it can be noted that 1 ft of water at standard conditions creates a pressure of roughly 0.433 psi. Therefore, for a height of 1 foot of water, the calculation yields:

Pressure = 1 ft × 62.4 lb/ft³ × (1/144) psi/ft

This simplifies to approximately 0.434 psi when computed.

This value corresponds to the answer that states 0.434 psi, which accurately reflects the pressure exerted by 1 ft of water due to gravity. Understanding hydrostatic pressure is crucial for applications in fluid mechanics and operations involving liquids, such as assessing pressures in tanks or reservoirs.