What is the principle that states that pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions?

The principle that states that pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions is known as Pascal's principle. This principle is fundamental in fluid mechanics and is used to explain how forces are transmitted in hydraulic systems. According to Pascal's principle, if you apply pressure on a fluid that is trapped in a sealed container, that pressure increase is experienced uniformly throughout the fluid regardless of the container's shape.

This phenomenon can be observed in various applications, such as hydraulic lifts and brakes, where applying a small force can result in a much greater force at another point in the system. This characteristic allows for the efficient transmission of pressure and force, making it a crucial concept in the study of fluids.

Other principles mentioned are relevant to different aspects of physical science. Bernoulli's principle relates to the behavior of fluid flow and the conservation of energy, particularly in moving fluids and the relationship between pressure and velocity. Archimedes' principle deals with buoyancy in fluid mechanics, defining the upward force experienced by an object submerged in a fluid. Newton's law of motion focuses on the relationship between the motion of an object and the forces acting on it, but does not specifically address the behavior of pressure in fluids.