Understanding Hydrostatic Pressure
This tool calculates Hydrostatic Pressure, which is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. It is directly proportional to the height of the liquid column (often called "Head").
Frequently Asked Questions
How much pressure does 1 foot of water create?
One foot of water head creates approximately 0.433 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). This is a standard constant used in plumbing and gravity-fed water systems.
What is the formula for water pressure from height?
The physics formula is $$P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h$$.
Where:
• P is Pressure (Pascals)
• ρ (rho) is the density of water (1000 kg/m³)
• g is gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• h is the height of the water column (meters)
How do I convert meters of head to bar?
A simple rule of thumb is that 10 meters of water head equals roughly 1 bar of pressure (specifically, 10 meters = 0.98 bar). This is useful for calculating pressure at the bottom of a water tank.
What is Head Pressure?
"Head" relates to the vertical height of the water level above the point where pressure is measured. It does not depend on the width of the tank or pipe, only the vertical elevation.