Question

Pascal’s law is for
A) Solids
B) liquids
C) fluids
D) none

Answer 1

Hint: In case of Pascal's law, we get an overall idea about the effect of pressure in case of fluids.

Complete step by step solution:
Before going further, we must understand the term pressure. In Physics pressure can be defined as force applied on any object per unit area. It can be represented mathematically as P=F/A . This holds good only in case of solids. Here P is the pressure, F is the force applied and A be the area.

But we cannot apply the same formula for liquids. In case of liquids P=ρgh
Where P be the pressure, be the density of liquid and h be the height of the liquid which is responsible for pressure at any point.

This same cannot be applied for air. For water also this cannot be generalised for all cases.
Any flowing substances are known as fluids. Gas and liquid are also considered as fluids as they have flowing nature. Let us consider a blown balloon. Now, if you consider any point inside the balloon, pressure will be the same in all the directions. This theory was first proposed by the scientist Pascal. Hence, we call this theory Pascal's law which gives the better explanation for why pressure is the same in all directions.

As per Pascal’s law, in case of fluid if we consider at any point throughout the fluid the amount of pressure in all directions is the same.
As per Pascal's law pressure applied to an enclosed fluid will be transmitted without a change in magnitude to every point of the fluid and to the walls of the container. The pressure at any point in the fluid is equal in all directions.

Hence the correct answer is Pascal’s law is applicable for fluids.

Note: Fluids means it is not only liquids. Air and liquids are also fluids as both have flowing property.