Hydrostatic Pressure: Height vs Volume

Thread starter Hepic
Start date Oct 31, 2013
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Hydrostatic Hydrostatic pressure Pressure

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Hydrostatic pressure depends on the height of the fluid column rather than its volume because pressure is defined as force per unit area. In a scenario with two tubes of different diameters but the same water height, the pressure at the bottom remains equal due to the uniform distribution of weight over a larger area in the thicker tube. The misconception that more water leads to greater pressure arises from confusing total weight with pressure, which is influenced by height alone. Therefore, regardless of the volume of water, the pressure at a given depth is determined solely by the height of the water column above that point. Understanding this principle is crucial for accurately applying hydrostatic pressure concepts.

Oct 31, 2013

Hepic

Why in hydrostatic pressure we care about height and not about volume?
For example if we have into a thin and a thick tube water in the same height,why both tube have the same pressure?? Is wrong to say that the more water makes the bigger pressure? If yes,why?

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Oct 31, 2013

russ_watters

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Since pressure is fore divided by area, for a larger vessel, the larger weight is distributed over a larger area, for no difference in pressure.

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