1. What is Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. It increases in proportion to depth measured from the surface because of the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydrostatic pressure equation:

Where:

• \( P_g \) — Hydrostatic pressure (Pascals)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (m/s²)
• \( h \) — Height/depth of fluid column (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the pressure at a specific depth in a fluid, accounting for the weight of the fluid above that point.

3. Importance of Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate pressure calculation is crucial for engineering applications, scuba diving safety, hydraulic systems design, and understanding fluid behavior in various containers and natural bodies of water.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³ (1000 for water), gravitational acceleration in m/s² (9.81 for Earth), and height/depth in meters. 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 at greater depths.

Q2: What is the density of water?
A: Pure water has a density of approximately 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C. Seawater is denser at about 1025 kg/m³.

Q3: How does gravity affect pressure?
A: Higher gravitational acceleration increases the weight of the fluid column, resulting in higher pressure at the same depth.

Q4: Does this equation work for all fluids?
A: Yes, the equation works for any incompressible fluid, though the density value will vary depending on the fluid type.

Q5: What are typical pressure values in water?
A: At 10 meters depth in water, pressure is approximately 98,100 Pa (or about 1 atmosphere above atmospheric pressure).