Pressure in Fluids at Rest

Fluid statics (also called hydrostatics) is the science of fluids at rest, and is a sub-field
within fluid mechanics. The term usually refers to the mathematical treatment of the
subject. It embraces the study of the conditions under which fluids are at rest
instable equilibrium. The use of fluid to do work is called hydraulics, and the science of
fluids in motion is fluid dynamics.
Pressure in fluids at rest

Due to the fundamental nature of fluids, a fluid cannot remain at rest under the presence
of a shear stress. However, fluids can exert pressure normal to any contacting surface. If
a point in the fluid is thought of as an infinitesimally small cube, then it follows from the
principles of equilibrium that the pressure on every side of this unit of fluid must be
equal. If this were not the case, the fluid would move in the direction of the resulting
force. Thus, the pressure on a fluid at rest is isotropic; i.e., it acts with equal magnitude
in all directions. This characteristic allows fluids to transmit force through the length of
pipes or tubes; i.e., a force applied to a fluid in a pipe is transmitted, via the fluid, to the
other end of the pipe.
This concept was first formulated, in a slightly extended form, by
the French mathematicianand philosopher Blaise Pascal in 1647 and would later be
known as Pascal's law. This law has many important applications in hydraulics.
[edit]Hydrostatic pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of
gravity.[1] The hydrostatic pressure can be determined from a control volume analysis of
an infinitesimally small cube of fluid. Since pressure is defined as the force exerted on a
test area (p = F/A, with p: pressure, F: force normal to area A, A: area), and the only
force acting on any such small cube of fluid is the weight of the fluid column above it,
hydrostatic pressure can be calculated according to the following formula:
,
where:
 p is the hydrostatic pressure (Pa),
 ρ is the fluid density (kg/m ),

3
 g is gravitational acceleration (m/s ),

2
 A is the test area (m ),

2
 z is the height (parallel to the direction of gravity) of the test area (m),
 z0 is the height of the zero reference point of the pressure (m).
For water and other liquids, this integral can be simplified significantly for many
practical applications, based on the following two assumptions: Since many liquids
can be considered incompressible, a reasonably good estimation can be made from
assuming a constant density throughout the liquid. (The same assumption cannot be
made within a gaseous environment.) Also, since the height h of the fluid column
between z and z0 is often reasonably small compared to the radius of the Earth, one
can neglect the variation of g. Under these circumstances, the integral boils down to
the simple formula:
,
where h is the height z-z0 of the liquid column between the test volume and the
zero reference point of the pressure. Note that this reference point should lie at or
below the surface of the liquid. Otherwise, one has to split the integral into two (or
more) terms with the constant ρliquidand ρ(z')above. For example, the absolute
pressure compared to vacuum is :
,
where H is the total height of the liquid column above the test area the surface,
and patm is the atmospheric pressure, i.e., the pressure calculated from the
remaining integral over the air column from the liquid surface to infinity.
[edit]Atmospheric pressure
Statistical mechanics shows that, for a gas of constant temperature, T, its
pressure, p will vary with height, h, as:
where:
g = the acceleration due to gravity
T = Absolute temperature
k = Boltzmann constant
M = mass of a single molecule of gas
p = pressure
h = height
If there are multiple types of molecules in the gas, the partial pressure of each type will
be given by this equation. Under most conditions, the distribution of each species of gas
is independent of the other species.yes true
Buoyancy
Any body of arbitrary shape which is immersed, partly or fully, in a fluid will experience
the action of a net force in the opposite direction of the local pressure gradient. If this
pressure gradient arises from gravity, the net force is in the vertical direction opposite
that of the gravitational force. This vertical force is termed buoyancy or buoyant force
and is equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, to the weight of the displaced fluid.
In the case of a ship, for instance, its weight is balanced by shear force from the
displaced water, allowing it to float. If more cargo is loaded onto the ship, it would sink
more into the water - displacing more water and thus receive a higher buoyant force to
balance the increased weight.
Discovery of the principle of buoyancy is attributed to Archimedes.
Liquids-fluids with free surfaces
Liquids can have free surfaces at which they interface with gases, or with a vacuum. In
general, the lack of the ability to sustain a shear stress entails that free surfaces rapidly
adjust towards an equilibrium. However, on small length scales, there is an important
balancing force from surface tension.
Capillary action
When liquids are constrained in vessels whose dimensions are small, compared to the
relevant length scales, surface tension effects become important leading to the formation
of a meniscus through capillary action. This capillary action has profound consequences
for biological systems as it is part of one of the two driving mechanisms of the flow of
water in plant xylem, the transpirational pull.
Drops
Without surface tension, drops would not be able to form. The dimensions and stability
of drops are determined by surface tension.The drop's surface tension is directly
proportional to the cohesion property of the fluid.
Static Fluid Pressure
The pressure exerted by a static fluid
depends only upon the depth of the
fluid, the density of the fluid, and the
acceleration of gravity.
The pressure in a static fluid arises from
the weight of the fluid and is given by the
expression
ρ = m/V =
fluid density
Pstatic fluid =
g = acceleration of
ρgh where
gravity
h = depth of fluid
The pressure from the weight of a column of
liquid of area A and height h is
The most remarkable thing about this

expression is what it does not include. The
fluid pressure at a given depth does not depend
upon the total mass or total volume of the
liquid. The above pressure expression is easy
to see for the straight, unobstructed column,
but not obvious for the cases of different
geometry which are shown.
Because of the ease of visualizing a column
height of a known liquid, it has become
common practice to state all kinds of pressures
in column height units, like mmHg or cm H2O,
etc. Pressures are often measured
by manometers in terms of a liquid column
height.
Fluid Pressure Calculation

Fluid column height in the relationship
Discussion
is often used for the measurement of pressure. After
entering the relevant data, any one of the highlighted
quantities below can be calculated by clicking on it.
Pressure difference = density x g x height
Top of Form
If the fluid density is
ρ= gm/cm3 = kg/m3
and the column height is
h= m= x 10^ m
h= ft
then the pressure difference is
ΔP = kPa
ΔP = lb/in2
ΔP = mmHg= inches Hg
ΔP = atmos
ΔP = inches water= cm water
Bottom of Form
Note that this static fluid pressure is dependent on density and depth only; it is independent of total mass, weight,
volume, etc. of the fluid.

Pressure in Fluids at Rest

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Fluid statics (also called hydrostatics) is the science of fluids at rest, and is a sub-field

Pressure in fluids at rest

 ρ is the fluid density (kg/m ),

 g is gravitational acceleration (m/s ),

 A is the test area (m ),

 z0 is the height of the zero reference point of the pressure (m).

The most remarkable thing about this

Fluid Pressure Calculation

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