Which of the following is true about hydrostatic pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. The fundamental principle behind hydrostatic pressure is that it increases with depth in a fluid, which is directly related to the fluid's density. Therefore, the greater the depth of the fluid, the more weight of the fluid column is exerted on the fluid below it, resulting in higher pressure. This relationship is described by the formula ( P = \rho g h ), where ( P ) is the hydrostatic pressure, ( \rho ) is the fluid density, ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity, and ( h ) is the depth of the fluid.

Understanding this relationship highlights that hydrostatic pressure is not influenced by the shape of the container or the characteristics of gases compared to liquids, as the pressure at a given depth in a fluid is uniformly exerted in all directions regardless of these factors. It is also applicable to both open and closed systems but is fundamentally concerned with the density and depth of a fluid column rather than the enclosure itself. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the essential characteristics of hydrostatic pressure as a function of fluid density and depth.