Calculating Pressure at Different Altitudes and Depths

  • Thread starter robertsa
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In summary, a mountaineer in the Rockies measures the air pressure to be 10% below that at sea level. Using the equation P = ρ*g*h, where P is the pressure, ρ is the density, g is gravity, and h is the height above sea level, the mountaineer can calculate the height at which he made the measurement. Additionally, the pressure at the deepest point of a small mountain lake of fresh water can be found using the equation P = ρ*g*h and adding the atmospheric pressure. The density of water is 1000kg/m^3 and the density of mercury can be used to convert the height to pressure.
  • #1
robertsa
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Homework Statement



A mountaineer in the Rockies measures the air pressure to be 10% below that at sea level. At what height above sea level does he make the measurement? At this altitude he finds a small mountain lake of fresh water which is 4.3m deep at its deepest point. What is the pressure at the deepest point of the lake

Homework Equations



P-Po=density x g x distance?

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2


Pressure at sea level = pressure due to 76 cm of mercury column.
10% less of this pressure is 68.4 cm of mercury column.
So the pressure at the mountain is ρ*g*h'. ρ is the density of the mercury.
 
  • #3


For the 2nd part P = D*G*H. density of water = 1000kg/m^3. After you get the pressure you simply add the atmospheric pressure. P = Pg + Pa. Make sure your units are correct, throws me off a lot.
 

1. What is the formula for P-Po=density x g x distance?

The formula for P-Po=density x g x distance is commonly used in fluid mechanics to calculate the pressure difference between two points in a fluid at a certain distance apart. It takes into account the density of the fluid, the acceleration due to gravity, and the distance between the two points.

2. How is the formula derived?

The formula is derived from the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, specifically the Bernoulli's equation and the hydrostatic equation. By combining these equations and considering the density and distance between two points, we can arrive at the formula P-Po=density x g x distance.

3. What are the units for each variable in the formula?

The units for P-Po are typically in units of pressure, such as Pascals (Pa) or pounds per square inch (psi). Density is measured in units of mass per volume, such as kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3). The acceleration due to gravity, g, is typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s2). Distance is measured in units of length, such as meters (m) or feet (ft).

4. How is this formula used in real-world applications?

The P-Po=density x g x distance formula is commonly used in various engineering and scientific fields, such as aerodynamics, hydraulics, and oceanography. It is used to calculate pressure differences in fluids, which can be applied to design and analyze various systems and structures, such as pipes, pumps, and wings.

5. Are there any limitations to this formula?

While the P-Po=density x g x distance formula is a useful tool in fluid mechanics, it does have some limitations. It assumes that the fluid is incompressible and that the flow is steady and inviscid. In reality, these assumptions may not always hold true, so the formula may not accurately predict pressure differences in certain scenarios.

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