What does the top pressure gauge read in FIGURE EX14.28?

Key Concepts

Pressure Measurement

Pressure is defined as the force exerted per unit area. In fluid mechanics, pressure gauges are used to measure the pressure of fluids in a system. The reading on a pressure gauge can indicate whether the system is under high or low pressure, which is crucial for understanding the behavior of fluids in various applications.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the weight of the fluid above it. It increases with depth in a fluid column and is calculated using the formula P = ρgh, where P is pressure, ρ is fluid density, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the fluid column. This concept is essential for determining the pressure readings in systems involving liquids.

Gauge Pressure vs. Absolute Pressure

Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, while absolute pressure is the total pressure including atmospheric pressure. When interpreting pressure gauge readings, it is important to know whether the gauge measures absolute or gauge pressure, as this affects the interpretation of the data, especially in systems where atmospheric pressure varies.