Which factor contributes to the different experiences of pressure in water compared to air?

The experience of pressure in water compared to air is primarily influenced by density differences. Water is significantly denser than air, which leads to a different relationship between depth and pressure. As you descend in a column of water, the density causes the pressure to increase much more rapidly than it would in air, where the effects of pressure are less pronounced.

In water, the pressure increases approximately by one atmosphere (about 14.7 psi) for every 10 meters (33 feet) of depth. This is largely because water has a density of about 1,000 kg/m³, while air's average density at sea level is roughly 1.225 kg/m³. The increased density of water means that there is a greater weight of fluid above you at any given depth, which translates to higher pressure.

Conversely, the other factors presented, such as viscosity of fluids, temperature fluctuations, and volume displacement, play roles in various aspects of fluid mechanics but do not directly influence the fundamental relationship between pressure and density in the context of experiencing pressure at different depths in water compared to air.