How do Pressure Gauges Work?

The pressure at both points A and B is the same

since both have the same amount of atmosphere
above them. The glass tube, which contains a
column of mercury, protects the top of the column
from feeling the pressure of the atmosphere. The
very top of the column is approximately empty.
We measure the height of the mercury column and
find it to be some number h. Remember from last
lecture we found:

P1 pgh

P2

Since there essentially no gas above the column in

the tube, P1 = 0. This means the pressure of the
atmosphere, P2 is directly proportional to the height
of the mercury column (you know both and g).

Pascal's Principle
Book's definition:
Any change in the pressure applied to a completely enclosed fluid is
transmitted undiminished to all parts of the fluid and the enclosing walls.
Translation:
If you have a fluid contained in some way so there is not a volume of
gas trapped in the container, then whatever pressure the fluid provides to
one part of the container, it provides to all parts of the container.

This is a very useful idea and is the principle behind hydraulic cylinders!

Pascal's Principle (2)

Remember that pressure is a force per area. Also
remember Pascal's Principle states the pressure on the
sides of the container (including the two pistons) is
uniform throughout the container. Also, there is a
height difference between piston 1 and piston 2
measured as h.

 


 


F2
P2
A2
This should be the same as:
F1
gh
A1
therefore:
F1
F2
gh A2
A1


Find F2 for a given F1.

Archimedes' Principle
Book's definition:
Any fluid applies a buoyant force to an object that is partially or completely
immersed in it; the magnitude of the buoyant force equals the weight of the fluid that
the object displaces.

FB
Magnitude of buoyant force

Mathematically this is given by:

W fluid
Weight of displaced fluid

Example Problem

A cube of some material is floating in a

volume of water so exactly of its volume
is sticking out of the water. The cube is
exactly 1 cm3 in volume. Water has a
density of 1.000 103 kg/m3.
How heavy is the cube?

Fluids in Motion
First, let's define some terms which relate to fluids:
Flow:

The motion of individual particles which make up the fluid.

Steady Flow:

The velocity of every particle passing a given point is the same.

This does not change with time.

Unsteady Flow: The velocity of particles passing a given point does change with
time.
Turbulent Flow:An extremely unsteady flow.
Viscosity:

How resistant the fluid is to flowing. Can also be thought of as the

"thickness" of the fluid.

Compressibility: How easily the fluid can change its density with a change in
pressure upon it.

Continuity of Fluid Flow

The physical principle involved here
is conservation of mass!

Bernoulli's Equation

v2

1
2

P2

gy 1

2
1

1
2

P1

This is defined mathematically (for the steady flow of a noncompressible fluid of density ) as:

gy 2

Ei

W nc E f

1
m v 2f mgy f
2

1
m v 2i
2

g y2

2
1

2
2

1
2

P2

P1

Rearrange Bernoulli's Equation to identify the terms:

y1

Recall the work-energy theorem:

mgy i

g y2

v1

v2

1
2

P2

P1

Bernoulli's Equation used to describe

a Physical System
y1

Everyday Uses of Bernoulli's

Equation

Another Everyday Use