A column of water one foot high exerts what pressure?

The correct answer, 0.434 psi, is derived from the principle that pressure exerted by a column of liquid can be calculated using the formula: pressure (psi) = height of the water column (in feet) × 0.4335 psi/foot. This conversion factor comes from the density of water and the acceleration due to gravity.

When you apply this formula to a 1-foot tall column of water, the calculation is as follows: 1 foot × 0.4335 psi/foot = 0.4335 psi, which rounds to approximately 0.434 psi. This pressure is important in various applications, including sprinkler systems, where understanding the pressure generated by water columns can help in designing and sizing systems accurately.

Other options are not aligned with the principles of hydraulic pressure and would yield either a value too high or too low for the given height, indicating a misunderstanding of the relationship between water column height and the resulting pressure.