Static Fluid Pressure

The pressure exerted by a static fluid depends only upon the depth of the fluid, the density of the fluid, and the acceleration of gravity.

The pressure in a static fluid arises from the weight of the fluid and is given by the expression

Pstatic fluid = rgh where r = m/V = fluid density
g = acceleration of gravity
h = depth of fluid

The pressure from the weight of a column of liquid of area A and height h is


The most remarkable thing about this expression is what it does not include. The fluid pressure at a given depth does not depend upon the total mass or total volume of the liquid. The above pressure expression is easy to see for the straight, unobstructed column, but not obvious for the cases of different geometry which are shown.

Index

fluid pressure calculation

Pressure concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics ***** Fluids R Nave
 Go Back





Fluid Pressure Calculation


Discussion

 Fluid column height in the relationship

is often used for the measurement of pressure. After entering the relevant data, any one of the highlighted quantities below can be calculated by clicking on it.

Pressure difference = density x g x height

If the fluid density is
= gm/cm^3 = kg/m^3
and the column height is
h = m = x 10^ m
h = ft
then the pressure difference is
= kPa
= lb/in^2
= mmHg= inches Hg
= atmos
= inches water= cm water

Note that this static fluid pressure is dependent on density and depth only; it is independent of total mass, weight, volume, etc. of the fluid.

Index

fluid pressure discussion

Pressure concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics ***** Fluids R Nave
 Go Back