What is hydrostatic pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure refers specifically to the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the gravitational force acting on the fluid column above the point of measurement. In the context of water, hydrostatic pressure increases with depth because more water above exerts additional weight downwards. The principle states that for every increase in depth of approximately 10 meters of water, the pressure increases by about one atmosphere or 101.3 kPa. This concept is crucial in various fields, including hydrodynamics and engineering, as it explains how pressure changes within bodies of water and influences buoyancy and fluid behavior.

In contrast to the correct answer, the other options do not accurately define hydrostatic pressure. The pressure exerted by a gas pertains to different principles related to gases behaving in accordance with their own laws. Atmospheric pressure involves the weight of the air surrounding us but is not equivalent to the pressure exerted by a fluid column specifically. Lastly, pressure from ocean currents relates to movement and dynamic forces rather than static pressure from a body of water at rest. Thus, the accurate definition of hydrostatic pressure lies in its relation to the weight of a water column and the consequences of depth.