Physics for Engineers 2

FLUID STATICS

MPS Department │ FEU Institute of Technology

DENSITY AND PRESSURE
 OBJECTIVES

• Define fluid, density and pressure.

• State Pascal’s Principle.
• Solve problems involving density, pressure and Pascal’s Principle.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

FLUID is any substance that can flow either a liquid or a gas

FLUID MECHANICS is the branch of science which deals with the study of the
behaviour of fluids (gases or liquids)

FLUID STATICS is the study of fluids at rest or equilibrium situations

FLUID DYNAMICS is the study of fluids in motion.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
DENSITY is defined as mass per unit
volume.
𝒎
𝝆=
𝑽
Where:
m = mass (kg)
V = volume (m3)

A homogenous material such as iron or ice has some Figure 1. Two objects with different masses and
density ρ throughout. different volumes but the same density. From
University Physics with Modern Physics (p. 370),
by H.D .Young & R. A. Freedman, 2016, USA:
Pearson Education ,Inc. Copyright [2016]
 DENSITIES OF SOME COMMON SUBSTANCES

Figure 2. Densities of Some Common Substances. From University Physics with Modern Physics (p. 395), by H.D .Young & R.
A. Freedman, 2016, USA: Pearson Education ,Inc. Copyright [2016]
RELATIVE DENSITY

The relative density (specific gravity) ρr of a material is the ratio of

its density to the density of water (1000 kg/m 3).

x
r = 3
1000 kg/m

Steel (7800 kg/m3) 𝛒r = 7.80

Brass (8700 kg/m3) 𝛒r = 8.70
Wood (500 kg/m3) 𝛒r = 0.500
SAMPLE
1. Find the mass and weight of the air at 200C in a living room with a 4.0
m by 5.0 m and a ceiling at 3.0 m high.

Solution

V = (4.0m)(5.0m)(3.0) = 60 m3
mair = ρairV = (1.20 kg/m3)(60 m3)
mair = 72 kg
wair = mairg = (72kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 706.32 N
wair = 706.32 N
PRESSURE
It is the amount of force exerted on a given
area.

𝑭
𝑷=
𝑨 If the applied force is acting on a small area, then
Where: the pressure will be large.
P = pressure ( Pa)
F = force in Newton (N)
A = area (m2)
Unit: Pascal (Pa)
1Pa = 1 N/m2
Fluid Pressure
Suppose we have a tank filled with fluid with density ρ.
The tank is filled up to a height “h” with a cross sectional area “A”

The fluid pressure at the bottom of the container

𝐹
𝑃=
𝐴
𝑚𝑔
𝑃=
𝐴
𝜌𝑉𝑔
𝑃=
𝐴
𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ
Fluid Pressure
The fluid pressure at depth h from the surface of the fluid:

𝑷 = 𝝆𝒈𝒉

Where
ρ is the density of the fluid (Pa)
g is the gravitational acceleration (m/s2)
g= 9.8 m/s2
h is the depth (m)

As you go deeper the swimming pool, the pressure gets higher

 FLUID PRESSURE
A liquid or gas cannot sustain a shearing stress - it is only restrained by a
boundary. Thus, it will exert a force against and perpendicular to that
boundary.
The force F exerted by a fluid on the walls
of its container always acts perpendicular
to the walls.
Fluid exerts forces in many directions. Try to
submerse a rubber ball in water to see that an
upward force acts on the float.

Fluids exert pressure in all directions.

 INDEPENDENCE OF SHAPE AND AREA.

Water seeks its own level, indicating

that fluid pressure is independent of
area and shape of its container.

At any depth h below the surface of the water in any

column, the pressure P is the same. The shape and area are
not factors.
 PROPERTIES OF FLUID PRESSURE
• The forces exerted by a fluid on the walls of its container are always
perpendicular.

• The fluid pressure is directly proportional to the depth of the fluid and
to its density.

• At any particular depth, the fluid pressure is the same in all directions.

• Fluid pressure is independent of the shape or area of its container.

 SAMPLE

2. A diver is located 20 m below the surface of a lake (r = 1000

kg/m3). What is the pressure due to the water?

SOLUTION

The difference in pressure from the top of  = 1000 kg/m3

the lake to the diver is:
Δh
∆h = 20 m; g = 9.8 m/s2

∆P = ρg∆h =(1000 kg/m3)(9.8 m/s2)(20m)

=196,000 Pa
 SAMPLE
3. A manometer tube is partially filled with water. Oil (which does not
mix with water) is poured into the left arm of the tube until the oil–
water interface is at the midpoint of the tube as shown in the figure
below. Both arms of the tube are open to the air. Find a relationship
between the heights hoil and hwater.
SOLUTION

𝑃 = 𝜌0 + 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝜌0 + 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙

𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑙 = Figure 3. Oil is poured into the left arm of the tube
𝜌𝑜𝑖𝑙 that is partially filled with water. From University
Physics with Modern Physics (p. 400), by H.D .Young &
Since water (ρwater = 1000 kg/m3), is denser than oil (ρoil ≈ R. A. Freedman, 2016, USA: Pearson Education ,Inc.
850 kg/m3), so hoil is greater than hwater Copyright [2016]
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
For an open tank, we should include the pressure outside the tank
pressing on the top of the surface of the fluid, which is the atmospheric
pressure Patm.

Patm = 101.3 kPa = 760 torr = 760 mmHg

Ptotal = Patm + ρgh
SAMPLE
4. Compare the total pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool of
depth 3.00m if it’s filled with fresh water and seawater.
SOLUTION

For freshwater
Ptotal = Patm + ρgh
= 101.3 x103 Pa + (1x103 kg/m3)(9.8m/s2)(3.0m)
= 1.31 x 105 Pa
For saltwater
Ptotal = Patm + ρgh
= 101.3 x103 Pa + (1.03x103 kg/m3) (9.8m/s2) (3.0m)
= 1.32 x 105 Pa
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE
Consider a hydraulic jack filled with fluid everywhere.
Pressure in = Pressure out
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐
=
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐

Figure 4. An important application of Pascal's law is the hydraulic press. From Pascal’s law (n.d), by Pascal Team
Ltd . Copyright © 2010-2018

Pascal’s principle states that “An external pressure applied to an enclosed

fluid is transmitted uniformly throughout the volume of the liquid.”
HYDRAULIC PRESSURE
Supposed pushing it with a distance d1, on the left , then the amount of
fluid displaced is the volume that that fluid that ends up at the other
side d2.

In other words, the same amount of fluid leaves on the left and enters on the right side.

A1d1 = A2d2
SAMPLE
5. A car that weighs 10.0 kN is placed on the 1.00 m radius piston of a hydraulic press.
How much force should be exerted in 5.0 cm radius piston to lift the car?

SOLUTION:

𝐹𝑖𝑛 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑡
=
𝐴𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝐴𝑖𝑛𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐹𝑖𝑛 =
𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝜋 0.05𝑚 2 10000𝑁
𝐹𝑖𝑛 = 2 = 𝟐𝟓𝑵
𝜋 1𝑚
ARCHIMEDES’ PRINCIPLE
 OBJECTIVES

• Define Buoyant Force

• State Archimedes’ Principle
• Solve physical problems involving Archimedes’ Principle
 BUOYANT FORCE
Have you ever tried to push a ball down under
water?

It is extremely difficult to do because of large

upward force exerted by the water on the ball.

This upward force is what we call Buoyant

force.
Figure 1. A swimmer pushes a beach ball
underwater. From Physics for Scientists and
Engineers with Modern Physics, 7th Ed. (p. 432),
by R.A. Serway & J.W. Jewett Jr., 2008, Belmont,
CA: Thompson Learning, Inc. Copyright [2008]
CALCULATING BUOYANT FORCE
The buoyant force FB is due to the difference of
pressure ∆ 𝑃 between the top and bottom
surfaces of the submerged block.
𝐹𝐵
∆𝑃 = = 𝑃2 − 𝑃1
𝐴
𝐹𝐵 = 𝐴 𝑃2 − 𝑃1
𝐹𝐵 = 𝐴 𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝐴(𝜌𝑓 𝑔ℎ2 − 𝜌𝑓 𝑔ℎ1)

𝐹𝐵 = (𝜌𝑓 𝑔)𝐴(ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
Where Figure 2. The difference in
𝑭𝑩 = 𝝆𝒇 𝒈 𝑽 FB is the buoyant force (N) pressure between the top and the
V is volume of fluid displaced (m 3) bottom of the block. From
Bouyancy (n.d), by Dr. Jeff
Cruzan, Copyright © 2016
ARCHIMEDES’ PRINCIPLE
An object that is completely or partially submerged in a fluid
experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid
displaced.

The buoyant force is due to the

displaced fluid. The block material
doesn’t matter.
FLOATING OBJECTS
When an object floats, partially submerged, the buoyant force exactly balances the
weight of the object.

FB = ρf gVf mx g = ρxVx g

ρf gVf = ρx Vx g

Floating Objects: ρf Vf = ρxVx

Relative Density:
If Vf is volume of displaced water Vwd, the x Vwd
relative density of an object x is given by: r = =
w Vx
SAMPLE
1. A 2-kg brass block is attached to a string and submerged underwater. Find
the buoyant force and the tension in the rope. (ρbrass=8.6x103 kg/m3 and
ρwater=1.0x103 kg/m3)
All forces are balanced:
𝐹𝐵 + 𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔 𝐹𝐵 = 𝜌𝑔𝑉
The volume of the fluid displaced V is equal to the
volume of the block
𝑘𝑔 𝑚 2𝑘𝑔
𝐹𝐵 = 1000 3 9.8 2 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟖𝑵
𝑚 𝑠 𝑘𝑔
8,600 𝑚3
SAMPLE
1. A 2-kg brass block is attached to a string and submerged underwater. Find
the buoyant force and the tension in the rope. (ρbrass=8.6x103 kg/m3 and
ρwater=1.0x103 kg/m3)
All forces are balanced:
𝐹𝐵 + 𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔 𝐹𝐵 = 𝜌𝑔𝑉 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟖𝑵

𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹𝐵
𝑇 = 2𝑘𝑔 9.8 𝑚Τ𝑠2 − 2.28𝑁

𝑇 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟑𝑵
REFERENCES

Young, H and Freedman, R (2016) . University Physics with modern Physics, [14th Ed].
Retrieved from https://b-ok.org/book/5344988/0f5ff2?dsource=recommend

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A. (2016). Two objects with different masses and different
volumes but the same density [Photograph]. In H.D .Young & R. A. Freedman,
University Physics with Modern Physics (p. 370). USA: Pearson Education ,Inc,
2016.

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A. (2016). Densities of Some Common Substances
[Photograph]. In H.D .Young & R. A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern
Physics (p. 395). USA: Pearson Education ,Inc, 2016.
REFERENCES

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A. (2016). Densities of Some Common Substances
[Photograph]. In H.D .Young & R. A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern
Physics (p. 395). USA: Pearson Education ,Inc, 2016.

Pascal Team Ltd (n.d). Pascal’s law [Photograph]. Pascal Team Ltd. Copyright © 2010-
2018. Retrieved from http://pascalteam.hu/en_pascal_law.php

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A. (2016). Oil is poured into the left arm of the tube that is
partially filled with water. [Sketch]. In H.D .Young & R. A. Freedman, University
Physics with Modern Physics (p. 400). USA: Pearson Education ,Inc, 2016.
REFERENCES

Serway, R.A. & Jewett, J.W. (2008). A swimmer pushes a beach ball underwater
[Photograph]. In Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, 7 th Ed.
(p. 432), Belmont, CA: Thompson Learning, Inc. Copyright [2008]

Cruzan, J. (n.d) The difference in pressure between the top and the bottom of the block.
[Photograph]. In Bouyancy, Copyright [2016]