What am I doing wrong in this simple pressure calc?

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The discussion centers on calculating gauge pressure in a mixed container using the formula ρgh for different liquids. The user initially misapplies the formula by incorrectly multiplying the specific weight of water by gravity, leading to confusion about the correct method. It is clarified that the specific weight (γ) already incorporates gravity, so the calculation should simply involve summing the specific weights of the liquids. The user also questions how to account for air pressure above a point in the container, ultimately realizing that they can work backwards from a known point to find the pressure at other points. The conversation highlights the differences between Imperial and SI units, particularly in handling weight versus mass.
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I'm trying to find gauge pressure at multiple points in a "mixed" container. Which, I thought would be equal to ρghliquid 1 + ρghliquid 2 etc. Well, that's not right? And I don't know why?

So for point A, I did: (55.1 * 32.1 * 4) + (62.4 *32.1 * 4). Then I divided by 144 to get it into psi. I got 105. That's not right . . .
 

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What's "32.1?"
 
Clearly it's g.

Does the extra weight of the column of water @ B add pressure to the column of water @ A?
 
paisiello2 said:
Clearly it's g.
Clearly. And 62.4?
 
Bluestribute said:
I'm trying to find gauge pressure at multiple points in a "mixed" container. Which, I thought would be equal to ρghliquid 1 + ρghliquid 2 etc. Well, that's not right? And I don't know why?

So for point A, I did: (55.1 * 32.1 * 4) + (62.4 *32.1 * 4). Then I divided by 144 to get it into psi. I got 105. That's not right . . .
For the figures in the diagram for water and oil, γ = ρg, so you don't need to multiply γw = 62.4 lbf / ft3 by g ...
 
SteamKing said:
For the figures in the diagram for water and oil, γ = ρg, so you don't need to multiply γw = 62.4 lbf / ft3 by g ...
Wait, that's what that letter means? So it's just ϒh + ϒh?

EDIT: Jeez that would have been helpful to know. Or know to infer . . . Yes, just do that to get psf and convert to psi to get the right answer . . . Wow. Thanks. But what about B? The only thing above B is air . . . and they don't give any constants for air. Should that just be known (because it isn't negligible . . . I tried 0 psi with no luck).
LAST EDIT: Work backwards from A and subtract. Got it!
 
Last edited:
Bluestribute said:
Wait, that's what that letter means? So it's just ϒh + ϒh?

EDIT: Jeez that would have been helpful to know. Or know to infer . . . Yes, just do that to get psf and convert to psi to get the right answer . . . Wow. Thanks. But what about B? The only thing above B is air . . . and they don't give any constants for air. Should that just be known (because it isn't negligible . . . I tried 0 psi with no luck).
LAST EDIT: Work backwards from A and subtract. Got it!
That's one of the things about working in Imperial versus working in SI. In Imperial, you get accustomed to working with weight instead of mass, as in SI.

Fresh water weighs 62.4 lbf / ft3. You can work back to find the mass density in slugs / ft3, which is approximately 2.
 
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