Air pressure needed for ballast

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The required air pressure to blow water out of ballast tanks at a depth of 3150 ft in the Atlantic Ocean is 9410 kPa. This calculation utilizes the formula P = ρgh, where ρ is the seawater density (1000 kg/m³), g is the gravitational acceleration (9.801 m/s²), and h is the depth converted to meters (961.62 m). The atmospheric pressure must also be considered in the final calculation. A common mistake in this process is using incorrect gravitational values, which can lead to significant errors in pressure calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with pressure conversion between units
  • Knowledge of seawater density values
  • Basic proficiency in dimensional analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the hydrostatic pressure formula P = ρgh
  • Learn about atmospheric pressure and its effect on underwater calculations
  • Explore unit conversion techniques, particularly between imperial and metric systems
  • Investigate common errors in pressure calculations in fluid dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Marine engineers, submariners, physics students, and anyone involved in underwater vehicle design or fluid mechanics will benefit from this discussion.

doodles
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
A submarine is submerged to a depth of 3150 ft in the Atlantic Ocean. What air pressure (in kpa) is needed to blow water out of the ballast tanks?

I know the answer is 9410 kpa but I have been going in circles trying to figure this out.

P=hd using seawater density of 64.0 pound feet cubed did not work for me.

Thanks for helping:)
Doodles
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Let's work in metric units. P=rho*g*h, and you know all three variables, so you can find P. That's the pressure exerted by the water. You have to add on the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, and that's your answer.
 
Thanks Ideasrule:smile:

P=1000kg/m^3(9.801m/s^2)(3150ft)(1/3.281ft)=9409676.928 pascals= 9410kpa

I made a mistake and was using 9.81m/s^2 instead of 9.801m/s^2

I still can't figure out how I got pascals out of kg/m^3 s^2 any suggestions? These type of conversions get tricky.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
19K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
7K