# Question on the hydrostatic paradox

The hydrostatic paradox, states that the

height of the water in any container is independent of the shape of the container.

This does make sense since it is only the height of the fluid relative to ground which determines the pressure, and it is the pressure equilibrium that decides the shape of the fluid. But then consider the (B) container in the figure below.

The pressure at a particular depth say, $h$ is same as in the case of the cylindrical container. But in the cylindrical case (A), any element of fluid is in equilibrium because the difference in pressure of the fluid element above it and that below it exactly balances the weight of the element. Extending this argument to (B), for any element at the edge, the pressure of the fluid above is the same as in the case of the cylindrical container, but below it is the surface of the container. This container, is in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure outside, and therefore, would be exerting pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure onto the fluid within, which would not be enough to maintain the equilibrium of the fluid element. How then can the equilibrium of the fluid element at the edge be explained?

• One thing to be aware of is that "doubt" has a few negative connotations that are not immediately evident to non-native speakers of English. One more appropriate synonym is "question". – Emilio Pisanty Feb 10 '14 at 17:56
• and therefore, would be exerting pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure onto the fluid within - this is wrong. – André Chalella Sep 17 '14 at 14:08
• The quoted statement is incorrect. The "height" of water depends on the container shape if you change the shape of the container while keeping the volume of water constant. – norio Oct 28 '18 at 21:50