Where does ocean pressure come from?

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    Ocean Pressure
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the origins of ocean pressure, exploring how pressure is exerted on objects submerged in water. Participants examine the role of gravity, molecular movement, and the behavior of fluids in explaining pressure in a fluid environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the pressure felt underwater is due to the weight of the water above, comparing it to lifting weights.
  • Another participant explains that pressure acts equally in all directions on a stationary element of water, referencing Pascal's law.
  • A participant questions the source of pressure, asking what causes it, despite understanding that pressure acts on all sides of an object.
  • Another participant elaborates that water molecules, when compressed by the weight above, exert pressure in all directions.
  • A comparison is made to a balloon being squeezed, illustrating how water behaves similarly when pressure is applied.
  • One participant proposes that pressure is created by the rapid movement of water molecules colliding with objects, suggesting that deeper water results in greater pressure due to increased molecular activity.
  • Another participant invites corrections and further explanations, indicating a desire for clarification on their understanding of the concepts discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding regarding the nature of pressure in water, with some agreeing on the role of gravity and molecular movement while others seek further clarification. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the exact mechanisms of pressure generation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as Pascal's law and Newton's principles, but there are unresolved questions about the foundational causes of pressure and the dynamics involved in fluid behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring fluid dynamics, physics students seeking to understand pressure in fluids, or anyone curious about the behavior of water under varying conditions.

sun1234
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I did my research and the answer I got is deeper I go the more weight from the water above me that I have to handle just like lifting weight. Like in the picture below


body.jpg



It is reasonable that I will feel the pressure on the top of my head and on the upward side on my arms ( like in the picture) due to the effect of the gravity pulling the water down. But how can I still the pressure everywhere else like on the bottom on my legs, my left side body, every single point on my body. Gravity can't pull the weight upward right?
my little theory is the water molecules have something to do with this. Since they moving around rapildly. they will crash into our skin molecule (our body molecule) and create pressure. I hope you guys can explain this to me. Thank you.
 
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Well, consider a small element of water in a still water tank. This element has pressure forces acting on all sides of it and is not moving since the water is still. If the pressure was only acting on the top, then the element of water would be constantly accelerating downward, just like if the pressure on the top and bottom or either side was different, but we already know that the element is stationary. What this means is that at a given point in the water, the pressure is acting equally in all directions. This means that if you are floating under the water, the upper, lower, and side surfaces of your body are all feeling pressure based on their depth in the water.

This phenomenon is called Pascal's law.
 
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I got it but "This element has pressure forces acting on all sides of it and is not moving since the water is still". I know that element for example a teddy bear maybe will be affect from any direction on Every single point on it body by the pressure.I know it's there but where does it come from. what cause it?
 
sun1234 said:
I got it but "This element has pressure forces acting on all sides of it and is not moving since the water is still". I know that element for example a teddy bear maybe will be affect from any direction on Every single point on it body by the pressure.I know it's there but where does it come from. what cause it?
When the water molecules get squeezed together by the overburden weight, they push sideways and upward also.
 
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If you squeeze a balloon between your fists, it doesn't just press against against the your fists. It squeezes out the sides and will even try to go around your fists if its big enough. It will deform and bulge out everywhere it can to get out of the way of your fists. Same goes for the water.
 
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Here is what I got:


Untitled-1.png



when being affected by the the forces come from the weight of the water molecules above them (1 and 2)
1 is the force from gravity pulling the molecules down
2 is created just like the floor when you push a balloon toward the floor. Then the floor will send back the same amount of force ( Newton). Same thing in this case I believe.

When 2 molecules are being forced , they will bounce out in random directions (like 3 -> 6)
then they will crash into the object A . That's how pressure is created.
In deeper level, there will be more pressure due to the increasing of forces number 1 & 2 ( more water molecules are above them equal more weight they have to handle). So those 2 molecules to receive more energy. They will travel even faster and crash harder into the object A create stronger pressure

In conclusion, sea pressure is created due to the water molecules' rapid movement and their impact with the object A.

That's what I got. please feel free to correct me and explain further if I'm wrong. Thank you guys for bearing with me . Thank you again in advance.
 

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