Experiment 5

LIQUID PRESSURE
OBJECTIVES :
To determine how liquid pressure varies with the
a. depth of the liquid
b. direction taken in the liquid
b. density of the liquid
c. cross-section of the containing vessel

MATERIALS
• U – tube manometer
• Liquids of different densities
• Two clear jars of different cross-sections but of almost the same height

THEORY
When a fluid is confined, it exerts a force F which is perpendicular to the walls of the container
whose area is A. The pressure p which is exerted on the walls is defined as the force per unit area. The
⃗𝑭
equation then is presented as 𝒑 = 𝑨

The SI unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa) or 1 N/m2. Other units are dyne/cm2 and lb/in2 in cgs and
FPS system, respectively.

In a cylindrical water tank, the pressure is exerted at all points within the water. The pressure is always
normal to the surface of the wall and is independent of the shape of the container. This type of pressure
which is caused by the weight of the liquid is called hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is dependent
upon the height (h) of the liquid and its weight density. The formula is shown as

𝒑 = 𝝆gh

where: ρ is the mass density of the liquid,

g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8m/s2)
h is the depth of the fluid

The mass density ρ of a liquid is practically constant since liquids are nearly incompressible, while for
gasses, the density is comparatively small and the difference in pressure between two points is
negligible if the change in elevation (∆y) is not very great. Due to its compressibility, the density of
gasses cannot be considered constant.

The difference between an unknown pressure and the atmospheric pressure is called gauge pressure,
and the true pressure is called absolute pressure. The absolute pressure is equal to the atmospheric
pressure plus the gauge pressure 𝑝𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑝𝑎 + 𝜌𝑔ℎ.

In the case of liquids, the gauge pressure is the same as the liquid pressure.
PROCEDURE

Set the manometer for use (Figure 1). Note down the initial readings of the liquid levels OP (open arm) and OQ
(closed arm) and record together with the difference OP – OQ.

manometer
Jar

0 Calibration
3
6
Liquid OP
9
OQ
12

Figure 1

A. Variation of Liquid Pressure With Depth

1. Calibrate the smaller jar by 3 cm, with the 0 – mark placed below the mouth of the jar with provision for
the rise in the liquid as the probe is dipped.
2. Fill the jar with water up to the 0 – mark.
3. While keeping an eye on the water level in the manometer, dip the probe of the manometer (upside –
down) into the jar of water so that its tip can be placed at 3 cm from the surface of the liquid.
4. At each depth, read and record the heights OP and OQ. Tabulate as shown in table A and complete the
table.

B. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Direction Taken in the Liquid

1. Repeat procedure A, with the probe of the manometer directed sideways to the right.
2. Repeat procedure A with the probe of the manometer directed to the left.
3. Tabulate the data in table B and complete the table.

C. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Density

1. Repeat procedure A using kerosene, then glycerin.

2. Tabulate the data in table C and complete the table.

D. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Cross-section area

1. Repeat procedure A using a jar of bigger cross – section.

2. Tabulate the data in table D and complete the table.
Name: Date:

Course, Year, & Section: Group No. :

Experiment No. 5
LIQUID PRESSURE

Initial Readings: OP = _________ OQ = _________ OP – OQ = _________

A. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Depth

Table A : Liquid Pressure with Depth (Probe Down)

Depth, (cm) OP, (cm) OQ, (cm) OP – OQ, (cm)

Construct an OP – OQ vs. Depth graph using the values in Table A. Describe the graph and discuss the relationship
between liquid pressure and depth as indicated by it.

Analysis of the Graph OP – OQ vs. Depth Graph

B. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Direction taken in the Liquid

Table B: Liquid Pressure with Direction

Probe
Probe Down (Copy Table A)
to the right to the left
Depth OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP–OQ (cm) OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP-OQ (cm) OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP–OQ
(cm) (cm)

Construct an OP – OQ vs. Depth graph at a particular depth using the values in Table B. Describe the
graph and discuss the relationship between liquid pressure and direction taken in the liquid at the
same depth as shown by the graph.

Analysis of the Graph OP – OQ vs. Depth Graph

C. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Density
Table C: Liquid Pressure with Density

Water (Copy Table A) Kerosene Glycerin

Depth (cm) OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP–OQ OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP-OQ OP (cm) OQ OP–OQ
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
0

On one scale, construct an OP – OQ vs. Depth graph for the different kinds of liquids. How do the
steepness of the graphs compare?

Analysis of the Graph OP – OQ vs. Depth Graph

D. Variation of Liquid Pressure with Cross-section

Table D: Liquid Pressure with Cross-section

Small Cross-section (Copy table A) Big Cross-section

Depth (cm) OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP–OQ (cm) OP (cm) OQ (cm) OP-OQ (cm)

Compare the data obtained in table A using a smaller jar with that in table D using a bigger jar.

Construct an OP – OQ vs. Depth graph for various cross-section area. What relationship between liquid
pressure and container size does the graph indicate?

Analysis of the Graph OP – OQ vs. Depth Graph

QUESTIONS

1. Why are dams so designed and constructed to have more massive base structures than tops?
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2. What column of water can be supported by a pressure of 9.8 x 104 dynes/cm2?

3. What pressure is exerted by a column of mercury 76 cm high? Density of mercury is 13.6 g/cc
and gravitational acceleration is 980 cm/s2.

4. A swimming pool has dimensions 30.0 m x 10.0 m and a flat bottom. When the pool is filled to
a depth of 2.00 m with fresh water, what is the force caused by the water on the bottom? On
each end? On each side?

5. Blaise Pascal duplicated Torricelli’s barometer using a red Bordeaux wine, of

density 984 kg/m3, as the working liquid. What was the height h of the wine
column for normal atmospheric pressure?