Absolute Pressure Formula:
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Absolute pressure is the total pressure measured relative to a perfect vacuum. It is the sum of atmospheric pressure and gauge pressure. In fluid mechanics, it's calculated using the formula P_abs = P_atm + ρgh, where ρ is fluid density, g is gravity, and h is depth.
The calculator uses the absolute pressure formula:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the total pressure at a certain depth in a fluid by adding the atmospheric pressure to the hydrostatic pressure caused by the fluid column.
Details: Accurate absolute pressure calculation is crucial for various engineering applications, including hydraulic systems, scuba diving, meteorology, and many industrial processes where pressure measurements are critical.
Tips: Enter atmospheric pressure in Pascals, fluid density in kg/m³, gravitational acceleration in m/s², and depth/height in meters. Standard values: P_atm = 101325 Pa (sea level), ρ = 1000 kg/m³ (water), g = 9.81 m/s².
Q1: What's the difference between absolute and gauge pressure?
A: Absolute pressure is measured relative to a perfect vacuum, while gauge pressure is measured relative to atmospheric pressure. Gauge pressure = Absolute pressure - Atmospheric pressure.
Q2: Why use Pascals as the unit?
A: Pascals are the SI unit for pressure. 1 Pascal = 1 Newton per square meter. Other common units include psi, bar, and mmHg, which can be converted from Pascals.
Q3: How does water density affect pressure?
A: Denser fluids create higher pressure at the same depth. Seawater (ρ ≈ 1025 kg/m³) creates about 2.5% more pressure than fresh water at the same depth.
Q4: Does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Yes, temperature affects fluid density. For precise calculations, use density values appropriate for the fluid temperature.
Q5: What is the pressure at the deepest point in the ocean?
A: At the Mariana Trench (≈11,000 m deep), absolute pressure is about 110 MPa, or over 1000 times atmospheric pressure.