Hydrostatic Pressure: Liquids or Air?

[MyNewPony]

Is the equation for hydrostatic pressure limited to liquids? Or can it be used for air pressure as well?

 

[Astronuc]

The concept of 'hydrostatic pressure' applies to fluids, either liquid or gas. Remember the pressure of the atmosphere decreases with increasing elevation, or increases with decreasing elevation, just as pressure in the oceans increases with depth.

Please provide the equation to which one is referring.

 

[MyNewPony]

The concept of 'hydrostatic pressure' applies to fluids, either liquid or gas. Remember the pressure of the atmosphere decreases with increasing elevation, or increases with decreasing elevation, just as pressure in the oceans increases with depth.

Please provide the equation to which one is referring.

Sorry, here it is:

p = p0 + (rho)gh

So, I can calculate both the pressure at the bottom of an ocean and the pressure at the top of a mountain using this method?

 

[Andy Resnick]

Sorry, here it is:

p = p0 + (rho)gh

So, I can calculate both the pressure at the bottom of an ocean and the pressure at the top of a mountain using this method?

In the case where the density does not change with pressure. For water (an incompressible fluid), that's a good approximation. For air, that's a bad approximation.

 

[fawk3s]

So, I can calculate both the pressure at the bottom of an ocean and the pressure at the top of a mountain using this method?

If you can get the exact density of the air on that heigth.

 

[mdz]

i just wondering..i conduct an experiment last week on pressure inside a container.note that the container is filled with water.i've found out that the pressure on the top of the container is greater compared to the lower of the container.it's suppose to be the opposite right based on P=pgh?why does the this occurred and please correct me if I'm wrong.i used the pressure gage to take the measurement.