Sr1 Physics

Lesson 7.2: Pressure in Liquids Solution:

Text book:
Introduction Physics Matters pg.127
Liquids exert pressure because
of their weights.
For example, if you try to put your finger over the
end of a tap when it is turned on, you can feel the Example 2
pressure of the water in the pipe. The pressure is The figure shows a cylinder containing liquid
caused by the weight of water in the pipes all the mercury.
way back to the cold water in the loft. The force of
gravity acts on liquids, pulling them downwards
into the container.
The pressure inside a liquid (called hydraulic
pressure) acts in all directions. This is due to the
fact that liquids can flow. What is the pressure caused by the liquid mercury at
the point P?
Calculating Pressure in a Liquid [ Density of liquid mercury is 1.36  105 kg m-3 ]
Consider a vertical column of liquid with a density Solution:
 and a horizontal area A.
Next, consider an object placed at the point X at a
depth h below the surface area of the liquid.

Example 3
The pressure of hot water emerging from a tap is 1
The pressure P due the liquid exerted on the object  105 Pa. What is the force exerted by the water on
at point X can be written as: a person’s thumb, if the person places his thumb
Derivation of Pressure in Liquid Equation over the outlet of the tap and stops the hot water
flowing. [ The area of the tap is 10-4 m2 ]
F W mg Vg   Ah g
P      gh Solution:
A A A A A
Therefore:
P  gh
P = Pressure in Liquid (Pa)
 = Density of Liquid (kg m-3)
h = Depth of Liquid (m)
From the final expression, we can say that the
pressure at any point in a liquid at rest is directly
proportional to the density of liquid and the depth.
The pressure in the liquid does not depend on the
surface area and the shape of a container.
Example 1
-3
If the density of sea water is 1150 kgm , calculate
the pressure below 40 m of sea water due to the
water alone.

7.2: Pressure in Liquids Page 1

 Sr1 Physics

Applications of pressure in liquids

1) Water tank
Normally a water tank is placed at higher level
so as to supply water at greater pressure.
2) Dam
The wall of a dam is much thicker at the
bottom than at the top because it must
withstand the increased lateral pressure in
depths of the water.
3) Submarine
Submarine is built with thick wall so as to
withstand enormous pressure at greater depth.

7.2: Pressure in Liquids Page 2