A container is filled with water to a depth of 26.2 cm. On top of the water floats a 16.1 cm thick layer of oil with a density of 0.85 * 103 kg/m3. The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s2. a) What is the pressure at the surface of the water? Answer in units of Pa.

1.34 x 10^3 Pa

Explanation:

density of oil = 0.85 x 10^3 kg/m^3

g = 9.81 m/s^2

height of oil column = 16.1 cm = 0.161 m

Pressure on the surface of water = height of oil column x density of oil x g

= 0.161 x 0.85 x 10^3 x 9.81 = 1.34 x 10^3 Pa

Thus, the pressure on the surface of water is 1.34 x 10^3 Pa.