On Earth, a cylindrical container of water open to the atmosphere experiences at

Question

On Earth, a cylindrical container of water open to the atmosphere experiences atmospheric pressure at the top surface and a greater pressure at the bottom of the container.

How do these pressures change when the container is being carried on the orbiting International Space Station? The pressure at the bottom of the container on the International Space Station is the same as it is on Earth, while the pressure at the top of the container is smaller than it is on Earth. The pressure at the bottom of the container is smaller on the International Space Station than it is on Earth, while the pressure at the top of the container is the same as it is on Earth. Both pressures are larger on the International Space Station than they are on Earth. Both pressures are smaller on the International Space Station than they are on Earth.

Explanation / Answer

Option B. The second option.

Only the pressure at the bottom is smaller.

On earth at the top the pressure is due to all of the air above. The pressure at the bottom includes that pressure plus the pressure from the water itself. In a lower gravity situation like on the space station, the air pressure is maintained at normal atmospheric levels (so that people can breathe) but the pressure from the water is smaller because of reduced gravity.

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