1. What is Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium 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:

• \( P \) — Hydrostatic pressure (Pascals)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth)
• \( h \) — Depth below the fluid surface (m)

Explanation: The pressure at any point in a fluid depends only on the density of the fluid, the acceleration due to gravity, and the depth below the surface.

3. Importance of Hydrostatic Pressure Calculation

Details: Hydrostatic pressure calculations are crucial in engineering (dam design, submarine construction), medicine (blood pressure), meteorology (atmospheric pressure), and many other fields.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does hydrostatic pressure depend on container shape?
A: No, hydrostatic pressure depends only on depth and is independent of the container's shape or size.

Q2: What's the hydrostatic pressure at 10m depth in water?
A: For water (ρ=1000 kg/m³), g=9.81 m/s², at 10m: P = 1000 × 9.81 × 10 = 98,100 Pa or ~0.97 atm.

Q3: How does hydrostatic pressure relate to atmospheric pressure?
A: Total pressure at a depth is the sum of atmospheric pressure and hydrostatic pressure.

Q4: Why is g 9.81 m/s²?
A: This is the standard acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface. It varies slightly by location.

Q5: Can this be used for gases?
A: Yes, but gas density changes with pressure, so calculations become more complex at significant depths.