Pressure At Depth Formula

Hydrostatic Pressure Formula:

\[ P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h \]

Hydrostatic Pressure (P):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What Is The Hydrostatic Pressure Formula?

The hydrostatic pressure formula calculates the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to gravity. It is fundamental in fluid mechanics and is used to determine pressure at various depths in liquids.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydrostatic pressure formula:

\[ P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h \]

Where:

\( P \) — Hydrostatic pressure (Pascals)
\( \rho \) — Density of the fluid (kg/m³)
\( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
\( h \) — Depth below the surface (meters)

Explanation: The pressure increases linearly with depth and depends on the density of the fluid and the strength of the gravitational field.

3. Importance Of Hydrostatic Pressure Calculation

Details: Hydrostatic pressure calculations are crucial in engineering (dam design, submarine construction), geology (groundwater flow), and medicine (blood pressure measurements). Understanding pressure distribution helps in designing safe structures and systems.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³ (water ≈ 1000 kg/m³), depth in meters, and gravitational acceleration (Earth ≈ 9.81 m/s²). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does pressure increase with depth?
A: Pressure increases with depth because the weight of the fluid above increases, exerting more force per unit area on objects at greater depths.

Q2: What is the density of common fluids?
A: Fresh water ≈ 1000 kg/m³, seawater ≈ 1025 kg/m³, mercury ≈ 13600 kg/m³. Density varies with temperature and composition.

Q3: Does this formula work for gases?
A: The formula works for incompressible fluids. For gases, which are compressible, density changes with pressure and height, requiring more complex calculations.

Q4: What are typical pressure values in oceans?
A: Pressure increases by approximately 1 atmosphere (101.3 kPa) for every 10 meters of depth in seawater.

Q5: How does gravity affect hydrostatic pressure?
A: Higher gravitational acceleration increases pressure proportionally. On planets with different gravity, the same depth would produce different pressures.