Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of the fluid above it.
Related terms
Pascal (Pa): Pascal is the SI unit for measuring pressure. It is defined as one newton per square meter.
Manometer: A manometer is a device used to measure and indicate the pressure of fluids. It consists of a U-shaped tube filled with liquid that responds to changes in fluid pressure.
Gauge pressure refers to the difference between absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure. It measures how much higher or lower a fluid's pressure is compared to atmospheric conditions.