1. What is the Pressure at Depth Equation?

The pressure at depth equation calculates the gauge pressure experienced at a certain depth in a fluid. It is based on the fundamental principle of fluid mechanics that pressure increases with depth due to the weight of the fluid above.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pressure equation:

Where:

• \( P_g \) — Gauge pressure (Pa)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
• \( h \) — Depth below surface (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the pressure exerted by a column of fluid at a specific depth, assuming constant density and gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate pressure calculation is crucial for engineering applications, underwater construction, diving safety, and understanding fluid behavior in various systems.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is gauge pressure?
A: Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Absolute pressure would be gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure.

Q2: Why does pressure increase with depth?
A: Pressure increases with depth because the weight of the fluid above exerts additional force on objects at greater depths.

Q3: Does this equation work for all fluids?
A: The equation works for incompressible fluids with constant density. For compressible fluids or gases, more complex equations are needed.

Q4: What are typical values for water pressure?
A: In water, pressure increases by approximately 9.81 kPa for every meter of depth. At 10m depth, pressure is about 98.1 kPa above atmospheric pressure.

Q5: How does salinity affect pressure calculations?
A: Saltwater has higher density than freshwater (approximately 1025 kg/m³ vs 1000 kg/m³), which results in slightly higher pressure at the same depth.