Physics Handout #9 – Hydrostatics

Hydrostatics
Pressure
In everyday life, we notice that it is easier to pierce a piece of cloth with a needle rather than
with the use of a blunt rod. This observation can be explained by the observation of pressure. In
physics, pressure is defined as the force per unit area. In symbols,
F
P=
A
Where p is the pressure, F is the applied force and A is the area. The SI unit for pressure is Pascal
(Pa). It is a scalar property.
For the same amount of force, a smaller area of contact would give a larger pressure. As each
material can only withstand a certain amount of pressure before bursting, it would become
obvious that a needle would pierce the cloth more easily.

Figure 9.11 illustrates an example of pressure using the same applied force and different area

Figure 9.12 illustrates another example on pressure calculation

1
Pressure Exerted by a Liquid
Suppose the depth of the liquid is h, the density of the liquid is ρ and g is the gravitational field
strength. The pressure, p, exerted by the bottom of the container by the liquid will be given by
p= h x ρ x g
Where h is the height of the liquid from the surface, ρ is the density of the liquid, and g is the
gravitational field strength.

Figure 9.12 highlights the formula to calculate the pressure in a liquid

2
Pressure at Different Depths in a Liquid

5
Figure 9.13 illustrates pressure at different points in a liquid
Archimedes’ Principle
It can be observed that irons bars sink in water whereas a ship made of irons floats. This
phenomenon is known is buoyancy. Buoyancy is the upthrust or upward force on an object that
is fully or partially immersed in a fluid. Note that a fluid can either be a liquid or a gas. This
effect was first explained by Archimedes and is known as Archimedes’ Principle:
A body that is fully or partially submerged in a fluid will experience an upward force
(upthrust) equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
Archimedes’ Principle also applies to the case where an object floats in a fluid. In this case, the
weight of the fluid is equal to the upthrust exerted on the object by the fluid. Hence, the weight
of the fluid displaced is the same as the weight of the floating object.

3
Floating and Sinking in Fluid

Figure 9.14 illustrates floating and sinking of objects in a liquid

4
5