Republic of the Philippines

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

Camarines Sur

College of Engineering and Technology

Second Semester, Academic Year 2021-2022

Name: ____________________________________ Week number: _______________________

Course Code: ___________________ Faculty: Mark Dave Verdejo
Course Title: ____________________ Program: ______________________________

I. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson the students are generally expected to:
1. Understand the concept of hydrostatic pressure
2. Describe absolute and gage pressure
3. Understand how to convert pressure to pressure head
4. Describe the forces experience by a submerged plane and curve surfaces
II. LESSON
Pressure is defined as the amount of force that is applied to a certain area. The
pressure is a physical quantity and mostly expressed as formula p = F/A where F and
A are force per area perpendicular to the surface.

Force, F
𝜌=
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴

Pascal’s law, developed by French mathematicians Blaise Pascal, states that the pressure on a
fluid is equal in all direction and in all parts of the container. In the equation above, as liquid
flows into the large container at the bottom, pressure pushes the liquid equally up into the
tubes above the container. The liquid rises to the same level in all of the tubes, regardless of
the shape or angle of the tube

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

Source:

http://web.physics.ucsb.edu/~lecturedemonstrations/Composer/Pages/36.27.html

ABSOLUTE AND GAGE PRESSURE

Gage Pressure (Relative Pressure)

Gage pressures are pressures above or below the atmosphere and can be measured by pressure
gauges of manometers. For small pressure difference, a 𝑈-tube manometer is used. It consists of
U-shaped tube with one end connected to the container and the other open to the atmosphere.
Filled with a liquid, such as water, oil, or mercury, the difference in the liquid surface levels in the
two manometer legs indicates the pressure difference from local atmospheric conditions. For
higher pressure difference, a Bourdon gauge, named after the French inventor Eugene Bourdon,
is used. This consists of a hallow metal tube with an oval gross section, bent in the shape of a
hook. One end of the tube is closed, the other open and connected to the measurement region.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND VACUUM

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure at any one point on the earth’s surface from the weight of
the air above. A vacuum is a space that has all matter removed from it. It is impossible to create
a perfect vacuum in the laboratory no matter how advanced a vacuum system is, some molecules
are always present in the vacuum area. Even remote regions of outer space have a small amount
of gas. A vacuum can also be described as a region of space where the pressure is less than the
normal atmospheric pressure of 760 mm (29.9 in) of mercury.

Under normal condition at sea level

𝑙𝑏
𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 2166
𝑓𝑡 2
= 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖
= 29.9 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑦 (ℎ𝑔)
= 760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔
= 101.325 𝑘𝑃𝑎

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE

Absolute pressure is the pressure above absolute zero (vacuum)

𝑝𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑝𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 + 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑚

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

Note:
• Absolute zero is attained if all air is removed. It is the lowest possible pressure
attainable.
• Absolute pressure can never be negative.
• The smallest gage pressure is equal to the negative ambient atmospheric pressure.

Source: https://www.universetoday.com/87939/absolute-pressure/

VARIATION IN PRESSURE

𝑝2 − 𝑝1 = 𝛾ℎ

Pressure below layers of different liquids

𝑝𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 = ∑ 𝛾ℎ + 𝑝 = 𝛾1 ℎ1 + 𝛾2 ℎ2 + 𝛾3 ℎ3 + 𝑝𝐴

PRESSURE HEAD

Pressure head is the height “h” of a column of homogeneous liquid of unit weight 𝛾 that will
produce an intensity of pressure𝑝.
𝑝
ℎ=
𝛾

To convert pressure head (height) of liquid A to liquid B

𝑠𝐴 𝜌𝐴 𝛾𝐴
ℎ𝐵 = ℎ𝐴 or ℎ𝐵 = ℎ𝐴 or ℎ𝐵 = ℎ𝐴
𝑠𝐵 𝜌𝐵 𝛾𝐵

To convert pressure head (height) of any liquid to water, just multiply its height by its specific
gravity

ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = ℎ𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 × 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

Total hydrostatic Force on Plane Surfaces

𝐹 = 𝑝𝐴

𝐹 = 𝛾ℎ𝐴

Location of F (yp)

𝐼𝑠
𝐲𝐩 =
𝐴𝑌
𝐼𝑠
𝐲𝐩 = 𝑌 +
𝐴𝑌

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

Total Hydrostatic Force on Curved surfaces

𝑭𝒉 = 𝜸𝒉𝑨

𝑭𝒗 = 𝜸𝑽

Sample Problems:

1. For the dam shown in the fig. 2-1 find the horizontal pressure acting at the face of
the dam at 20-ft depth
➢ 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ = (62.4)(20) = 1248 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2

2. For the vessel containing glycerin under pressure as shown in figure 2-2, fint the
pressure at the bottom of the tank.
➢ 𝑝 = 50 + (12.34)(2.0) = 74.68 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 𝑜𝑟 74.68𝑘𝑃𝑎

3. If the pressure the tank is 50 psi, find the equivalent pressure head of (a) water, (b)
mercury, and (c) heavy fuel oil with a specific gravity of 0.92
𝑝
➢ ℎ=𝛾
[(50)(144)]
(a) ℎ = = 115.38𝑓𝑡
62.4
[(50)(144)]
(b) ℎ = = 8.50𝑓𝑡
847.3
[(50)(144)]
(c) ℎ = [(0.92)(62.4)] = 125.42𝑓𝑡
4. a weather report indicates barometric pressure is 29.75 in of mercury. What is the
atmospheric pressure in pounds per square units?

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

29.75
[(13.6)(62.4)][( )]
➢ 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ = 12
= 14.61𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛 2 or 14.61psi
144
5. Find the atmospheric pressure in kilopascals if a mercury barometer reads 742 mm.
742
➢ 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ = (133.1) (1000) = 98.8𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 or 98.8𝑘𝑃𝑎
6. A pressure gage 7.0 m above the bottom of the tank containing a liquid reads 64.94
kPa; another gage at height 4.0 m reads 87.53 kPa. Compute the specific weight and
mass density of the fluid.
∆𝑝
➢ 𝛾 = ∆ℎ = (87.53 − 64.94)(7.0 − 4.0) = 7.53𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 or 7530N/m3
𝜌 = 𝛾/𝑔 = 7530/9.81 = 786 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

7. A pressure gage 19.0 m above the bottom of the tank containing a liquid reads 13.19
psi; another gage at height 14.0 ft reads 15.12 psi. Compute the specific weight,
mass density, and specific gravity of the liquid.
➢ ∆𝑝 = 𝛾(∆ℎ)
(15.12 − 13.19)(144) = (𝛾)(19.0 − 14.0)
𝛾 = 55.6𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 3
55.6
𝜌 = 𝛾/𝑔 = 55.6/32.2 = 1.73𝑠𝑙𝑢𝑔/𝑓𝑡 3 𝑠. 𝑔. = 62.4 = 0.891
8. An open tank contains 5.7 m of water covered with 2.8 m of kerosene(𝛾 =
8.0 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 ). Find pressure at the interface and at the bottom of the tank.
➢ 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 𝛾ℎ = (8.0)(2.8) = 22.4𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑃𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 22.4 + (9.79)(5.7) = 78.2𝑘𝑃𝑎
9. An open tank contains 9.4 ft of water beneath 1.8 ft of oil (s.g = 0.85). Find the
pressure at the interface and at the bottom of the tank.
[(0.85)(62.4)](1.8)
➢ 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 𝛾ℎ = = 0.663 𝑝𝑠𝑖
144
(62.4)(9.4)
𝑃𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 0.663 + = 4.74 𝑝𝑠𝑖
144
10. If air has a constant specific weight of 0.076 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 3 and were incompressible, what
would the height of the atmosphere if sea-level pressure were 14.92 psia?
𝑝 (14.92)(144)
➢ ℎ= = = 28270𝑓𝑡
𝛾 0.076
11. If the weight density of mud is given by 𝛾 = 65.0 + 0.2ℎ, where 𝛾 is in 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 3 and
depth ℎ is in 𝑓𝑡, determine the pressure, in psi, at a depth of 17ft.
➢ 𝑑𝑝 = 𝛾𝑑ℎ = (65.0 + 0.2ℎ)𝑑ℎ. Integrating both sides: 𝑝 = 65.0ℎ + 0.1ℎ2 .
For ℎ = 17𝑓𝑡
(65.0)(17) (0.1)(17)2
𝑝= + = 7.87 𝑝𝑠𝑖
144 144
12. If the absolute pressure in a gas is 40.0 psia and the atmosphere pressure is 846
mbar abs, find the gage pressure in (a) 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛 2; (b) 𝑘𝑃𝑎 ; (c) bar.
➢ (a) 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = (846)(0.0145) = 12.3 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛 2 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 40.0 − 12.3 =
27.7 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛 2
(b) 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = (40.0)(6.894) = 276 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = (846)(0.100) = 85 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 276 − 85 = 191 𝑘𝑃𝑎
40.0
(c) 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 14.5 = 2.759 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 2.759 − 0.846 = 1.913 𝑏𝑎𝑟

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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

13. If the atmosphere pressure is 0.900 bar abs and gage attached to a tank reads 390
mmHg vacuums, what is the absolute pressure within the tank?
➢ 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 0.900 × 100 = 90.0 𝑘𝑃𝑎
390
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = [(13.6)(9.79)] (1000) = 51.9 𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑢𝑚 or − 51.9𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 90.0 + (−51.9) = 38.1 𝑘𝑃𝑎
14. If the atmosphere pressure is 13.99 psia and a gage attached to a tank reads 7.4inHg
vacuum, find the absolute pressure within the tank.
➢ 𝑝 = 𝛾ℎ
7.4
12
𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒 = [(13.6)(62.4)] [ 144 ] = 3.63𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑢𝑚 or − 3.63 psi

𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 13.99 + (−3.63) = 10.36 psia

15. The close tank in figure 2-3 is at 20℃. If the pressure at point A is 98 kPa, what is the
absolute pressure at point B? What percent error results from neglecting the specific
weight of the air?
➢ 𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾𝑎𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝐴𝐶 − 𝛾𝐻2𝑂 ℎ𝐷𝐶 − 𝛾𝑎𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝐷𝐵 = 𝑃𝐵 ,
98 + (0.0118)(5) − (9.790)(5 − 3) − (0.0118)(3) = 𝑃𝐵 = 78.444 𝑘𝑃𝑎
Neglecting air, 𝑃𝐵 = 98 − (9.790)(5 − 3) = 78.420 𝑘𝑃𝑎;
78.444−78.420
error = = 0.00031, or 0.031%
78.444

16. The system in figure 2-4 is at 70℉. If the pressure at point A is 2900𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2,
determine the pressure at point B, C, and D.
𝑙𝑏
➢ 𝑃𝐵 = 2900 − (62.4)(4 − 3) = 2838 𝑓𝑡 2
𝑃𝐷 = 2900 + (62.4)(6) = 3274 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2
𝑃𝐶 = 2900 + (62.4)(6 − 2) − (0.075)(5 + 3) = 3149 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2

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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

17. The system in figure 2-5 is at 20℃. If atmospheric pressure is 101.03 kPa and the
absolute pressure at the bottom of the tank is 231.3 kPa, what is the specific gravity
of olive oil?
➢ 101.03 + (0.89)(9.79)(1.5) + (9.79)(2.5) + (s. g. )(9.79)(2.9) +
(13.6)(9.79)(0.4) = 231.3
s. g. = 1.39

18. Find the pressure at A, B, C, and D in Figure 2-6.

𝑙𝑏
➢ 𝑃𝐴 = (62.4)(4 + 2) = 374 𝑓𝑡 2 , 𝑃𝐵 = −(62.4)(2) = −125 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2 .
Neglecting air, 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑃𝐵 = −125𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2;
𝑃𝐷 = −125 − (62.4)(4 + 2 + 2) = −624 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2

III. LEARNING ACTIVITY

1. If the depth of liquid of 1m causes a pressure of 7 kPa, what is the specific gravity of the
liquid?
2. What is the pressure 12.5 m below the ocean? Use sp. gr. = 1.03 for salt water.
3. If the pressure 23 meter below a liquid is 338.445 kPa, determine its unit weight 𝛾, mass
density𝜌, and specific gravity s.
4. If the pressure at the point in the ocean is 60 kPa, what is the pressure 27 meters below
this point?

IV. LEARNING ASSESSMENT

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 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur

1. It the pressure in the air space above an oil (s = 0.75) surface in a closed tank is 115
kPa absolute, what is the gage pressure 2m below the surface?
2. Find the absolute pressure in kPa at a depth of ten 10 m below the free surface of oil
of sp. gr. 0.75 if the barometer is 752 mmHg.
3. A pressure gage 6m above the bottom of the tank containing a liquid reads 90 kPa.
Another gage height 4m reads 103 kPa. Determine the specific weight of the liquid.
4. An open tank contains 5.8m of water covered with 3.2m of kerosene (𝛾 =
8 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3). Find the pressure at the interface and at the bottom of the tank.
If atmospheric pressure is 95.7 kPa and the gage attached to the tank reads 188
mmHg vacuum.
V. LEARNING REFERENCES
• Fluid and Mechanics Revised edition by Diego Inocencio T. Gillesania
• C.T Crowe, J. A. Roberson and D.F Elger, Engineering and fluid mechanics 9th
edition” Copyright by John Wiley & Son, Inc

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