Question

A liquid in a container exerts pressure in all directions on the bottom of the container on its walls and even upwards.
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: The pressure exerted by a liquid on a container is due to its tendency to flow. For checking the direction in which the pressure is exerted, we can make a hole in the container in that particular direction and see whether the fluid is emerging out from the hole or not.

Complete step-by-step solution
We know that the liquid is a fluid, due to which it has a tendency to flow. When a liquid is closed inside a container, its flow is restricted from all the direction in the space. But being a fluid it has a tendency to flow, from whichever direction the restriction from the container is removed.
If we make a hole on the outside of a container, on any of its sides, be it the bottom, the walls, or the top of the container, the fluid will emerge out of the container. Also, if we place our finger on such a hole, then we will be able to experience some force exerted on our finger, which tries to push our finger away from the container. So this means that the fluid applies force from all the directions on the container. This force tries to increase the volume of the container, just as in the case of the air filled inside a balloon.
Now, we know that the pressure is equal to the force applied per unit surface area. So the liquid will apply the pressure in all the directions; on the bottom of the container, on the walls, and even upwards.
Thus, the statement given in this question is true.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note
It is a common misconception that a liquid applies pressure only at the bottom of a container, and not on the walls. But the pressure is exerted in the direction, in which it tries to emerge out. So we must imagine making a hole in the container on the walls due to which the liquid will emerge outside. This shows that the liquid exerts pressure on the walls also.