[amp_mcq option1=”zero” option2=”one-fourth its value when cylinder was full” option3=”one-half its value when cylinder was full” option4=”cannot be predicted from the given data” correct=”option3″]
The correct answer is: C. one-half its value when cylinder was full.
The pressure intensity at the center of the bottom of the cylinder is due to the weight of the liquid above it. When the cylinder is full, the pressure intensity is equal to the weight of the liquid divided by the area of the bottom of the cylinder. When half of the liquid spills out, the pressure intensity is equal to the weight of half of the liquid divided by the area of the bottom of the cylinder. This is one-half the pressure intensity when the cylinder was full.
Option A is incorrect because the pressure intensity cannot be zero. The liquid is still exerting a force on the bottom of the cylinder, even though some of it has spilled out.
Option B is incorrect because the pressure intensity is not one-fourth its value when the cylinder was full. The pressure intensity is one-half its value when the cylinder was full.
Option D is incorrect because the pressure intensity can be predicted from the given data. The pressure intensity is equal to the weight of the liquid divided by the area of the bottom of the cylinder.