Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. It increases linearly with depth in a fluid.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Hydrostatic pressure at a depth $h$ in a fluid of density $\rho$ is given by $P = \rho gh$, where $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity.
In integration applications, hydrostatic pressure can be used to find the force on submerged surfaces.
The total hydrostatic force on a surface submerged vertically in a fluid can be calculated by integrating the pressure over the area of the surface.
For non-uniform shapes, setting up integrals that account for variable depth and area elements is essential to calculate forces accurately.
Hydrostatic pressure principles are crucial for solving problems involving dams, tanks, and underwater structures.
Review Questions
Related terms
Fluid Density: Mass per unit volume of a fluid, typically denoted as $\rho$.
$\text{Pascal's Law}$: $\text{A principle stating that in an incompressible fluid at rest, any change in pressure applied to one part is transmitted undiminished throughout the fluid.}$
$\text{Buoyant Force}$: $\text{An upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object.}$