Fluid Mechanics

CHAPTER 2 – PRESSURE

Pressure – is the force exerted by the fluid per unit area. Fluid pressure is transmitted
with equal intensity in all directions and acts normal to any plane. Measurement of unit
pressures are accomplished by various forms of gages.

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄(𝐅)
PRESSURE (p) =
𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐀 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐃(𝐀)

TYPES OF PRESSURE

❖ Gage pressure – is a pressure above or below the atmosphere and can be

measured using pressure gages and manometer.
❖ Atmospheric pressure – is a pressure caused by gasses which composes in the
atmosphere.
Under normal conditions:
Atmospheric pressure = 101.325 Kpa
= 14.7 psi
= 760 mm Hg
= 29.9 in Hg
❖ Absolute pressure – is measured relative to a perfect vacuum(absolute zero)

Pabs = Pgage + Patm

❖ Vapour pressure – is a pressure caused when evaporation of a liquid having a

free surface takes place within an enclosed area.

MANOMETER – is a pressure measuring device used to measure gage pressure that

involves the use of liquid columns in vertical or inclined tubes.

TYPES OF MANOMETER

1. Piezometer – the simplest type of manometer consists of vertical tube, open

at the top, and attached to the pipe for which the pressure is desired.

fluid

pipe

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 Fluid Mechanics

2. Open-Manometer – has an atmosphere surface in one leg and is capable of

measuring gage pressures.

pipe

3. Differential manometer – without an atmosphere surface or no liquid surface

exposed on the atmosphere and capable only on measuring difference in
pressure between two pipes.

pipe 2
pipe 1

Variation of Pressure Vertically In a Fluid under Gravity

h1
h2
1
h
2

Pressure at point 1

p1 = γh1
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Fluid Mechanics

Pressure at point 2
p2 = γh2

Pressure difference between point 1 and 2

p2 – p1 = γh

PRESSURE BELOW LAYERS OF DIFFERENT LIQUIDS

Air pressure, p p
Air pressure,

h1 Liquid
Liquid1 1
Interface of L1& L2

Liquid
Liquid 22
h2
Interface of L2& L3

h3
Liquid 33
Liquid

Pressure at the interface of liquid 1 and liquid 2

pinterface = p + γ1h1

Pressure at the interface of liquid 2 and liquid 3

pinterface = p + γ1h1 + γ2h2

Pressure at the bottom

pbottom = p + γ1h1 + γ2h2 + γ3h3

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 Fluid Mechanics

EXAMPLE 1: The weather report indicates the barometric pressure is 756 mm of

mercury. What is the atmospheric pressure in KPa?

SOLUTION:
p =  hg h hg = s hg  w h hg
p = 13.6(9.81KN / m3 )(0.756m)
p = 100.86 KN/m 2 = 100.86 KPa

EXAMPLE 2: An open tank contains 2.87 m of water beneath 0.55 m of oil (s = 0.85).
Find the pressure at the interface of two liquids and at the bottom of the tank.

SOLUTION:
Pressure at the interface of two liquids (point 1)
p = pair + h
p1 = 0 +  oil h oil = soil  w h oil air
p1 = 0.85(9.81KN / m )(0.55m) 3

oil,s= 0.85 1 0.55m

p1 = 4.586 KN/m2 = 4.586 KPa

Pressure at the bottom of the tank (point 2) water 2.87 c m

p = p air + h
p 2 = 0 +  oil h oil +  w h w 2
p 2 = s oil  w h oil +  w h w
p 2 = 0.85(9.81KN / m3 )(0.55m) + (9.81KN / m3 )(2.87 m)
p 2 = 32.74 KN/m 2 = 32.74 KPa

EXAMPLE 3: If the absolute pressure in a gas is 45.0 psia and the atmospheric pressure
is 100 KPa, find the gage pressure in a.) lb/in2, b.) KPa, c.)bar

SOLUTION:
Gage pressure in lb/in2
pabs = pgage + p atm
45psi = pgage + 14.7psi
p gage = 30.3 psi

Gage pressure in KPa

101.325KPa
p gage = 30.3psi 
14.7psi
p gage = 208.85KPa

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Fluid Mechanics

Gage pressure in bar

1bar
pgage = 208.85KPa 
100KPa
p gage = 2.0885 bar

EXAMPLE 4: A pressure gage 8.0 m above the bottom of a tank containing a liquid
reads 65 KPa; another gage at height 5.0 m reads 85 KPa. Compute the specific weight
and mass density of fluid.

SOLUTION:
Specific weight of fluid
p1 + h = p 2
p 2 − p1 = h
KN KN
85 − 65 2 =  (8m − 5m) 65 KPa
m2 m 1
γ = 6.667 KN/m 3 h
85 KPa 8 m
Mass density of fluid 2
 6666.67N / m3
= = 5m
g 9.81m / s 2
ρ = 679.58 kg/m 3

EXAMPLE 5: The closed tank in the figure is at 20°C. If the pressure at A is 100 Kpa
abs, what is the absolute pressure at point B? What percent error results from neglecting
the specific weight of the air?

A B
Air 3m
5m D
Air
C
5m

3m H2O

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 Fluid Mechanics

SOLUTION:

Sum-up pressures from point A

to point B (considering air)

p A + h = p B
p A +  air (5m) −  w (2m) −  air (3m) = p B
p B = 100,000N / m 2 + (12N / m3 )(5m)
A B
− (9810N / m3 )(2m) − (12N / m 3 )(3m) Air 3m
PB = 80404 N/m 2 5m D
Air
Sum-up pressures from point A C C
to point B (neglecting air) 5m


p A + h = p B 3m H2O
p A −  w (2m) = p B
p B = 100,000N / m 2 − (9810N / m3 )(2m)
PB = 80380 N/m 2

Percent error results from neglecting the specific weight of the air
80404 − 80380
%error =  100%
80404
%error = 0.030%

EXAMPLE 6: If the pressure at point A in the figure is 138 Kpa, Determine the
pressure at points B, C, and D.

3m air 2m
air air
B
A
3m

C
4.5 m

2.5 m
water
D

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Fluid Mechanics

SOLUTION:
Pressure at point B
p A −  w (4.5m − 3m) = p B
138KN / m 2 − (9.81KN / m3 )(1.5m) = p B
p B = 123.285 KN/m 2 = 123.285 KPa

Pressure at point C
p B +  w (3m) = pC
123.285KN / m 2 + (9.81KN / m3 )(3m) = p C
p C = 152.715 KN/m 2 = 152.715 KPa

Pressure at point D
pC +  w (2.5m) = p D
152.715KN / m 2 + (9.81KN / m3 )(2.5m) = p D
p D = 177.24 KN/m 2 = 177.24 KPa

EXAMPLE 7: The tube shown in the figure is filled with oil. Determine the pressure
heads at A and B in terms of water.

2.2 m air

B
0.8 m

Oil (s =0.85)
SOLUTION:
Pressure at point A
0 −  oil (0.8m + 2.2m) = p A
−soil  w (0.8m + 2.2m) = p A
p A = −0.85(9.81KN / m3 )(3m)
p A = −25.0155KN / m 2

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 Fluid Mechanics

Pressure head at point A in terms of water

PA −25.0155KN / m 2
= = − 2.55m
w 9.81KN / m3

Pressure at point B
p A +  oil (2.2m) = p B
p A + s oil  w (2.2m) = p B
−25.0155KPa + 0.85(9.81KN / m3 )(2.2m) = pB
p B = −6.6708m

Pressure head at point B in terms of water

PB −6.6708KN / m2
= = − 0.68m
w 9.81KN / m3

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Fluid Mechanics

PROBLEM SET-3
Instruction: Do as required. Present in writing the full details of your answer or
solutions. The grades you earn for each item will be based on correctness,
completeness and clarity of presentation.

1. An air bubble from the bottom of a swimming pool will increase its original volume
by 20% when it reaches the free surface. How deep is the water in the pool in meters
if the atmospheric reading is 98.1 KPa?
a. 2.5 m c. 2.2 m
b. 1.5 m d. 2.0 m

SITUATION 1 (2-4): 600 mm diameter steel pipe, 10 mm thick is carries water under a
head of 325 meters.

2. Determine the actual stress in KN per meter length of pipe?

a. 95.65 MPa c. 88.67 MPa
b. 102.33 MPa d. 123.23 MPa
3. If the head is increased to 500 meters, determine the actual stress in KN per mater
length of pipe.
a. 155.56 MPa c. 147.15 MPa
b. 122.33 MPa d. 165.57 MPa
4. If the head is increased to 500 meters, what is the wall thickness requires assuming
the allowable tensile stress of 113 MPa.
a. 15.11 mm c. 14.67 mm
b. 13.02 mm d. 11.34 mm

5. Express an absolute pressure of 6 atm in meters of water gage when the barometer
reads 760 mm Hg.
a. 67.33 m c. 55.22 m
b. 47.88 m d. 51.64 m

SITUATION 2 (6-8): Convert 62 Kpa to

6. mmHg
a. 465 c. 577
b. 298 d. 341
7. meter of water
a. 7.21 c. 6.33
b. 8.11 d. 5.67
8. meter of oil (s = 0.8)
a. 8.67 c. 9.11
b. 7.92 d. 6.88

9. Find the atmospheric pressure in Kpa if a mercury barometer reads 740 mm.
a. 98.73 KPa c. 78.45 KPa
b. 102.33 KPa d. 88.34 KPa

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 Fluid Mechanics

10. A pressure gage 8.0 m above the bottom of a tank containing a liquid reads 74.94
Kpa; another gage at height 5.0 m reads 97.60 Kpa. Compute the specific weight of
fluid.
a. 8.33 KN/m3 c. 7.55 KN/m3
3
b. 6.73 KN/m d. 9.12 KN/m3

SITUATION 3(11-12): An open tank contains 2.87 m of water beneath 0.55 m of oil (s
= 0.85).
11. Find the pressure at the interface of two liquids.
a. 5.14 KPa c. 8.12 KPa
b. 4.59 KPa d. 5.67 KPa
12. Find the pressure at the bottom of the tank.
a. 32.74 KPa c. 44.17 KPa
b. 27.89 KPa d. 30.45 KPa

13. If air had a constant specific weight of 11.85 N/m3 and were incompressible, what
would be the height of the atmosphere if sea-level pressure is 98.87 Kpa abs?
a. 7682.33 m c. 8343.46 m
b. 9112.67 m d. 5678.92 m

14. If the weight density of liquid is given by γ = 65.0 + 0.20h, where γ is in KN/m3 and
depth h is in meters, determine the pressure, in Kpa, at a depth of 5.18 m.
a. 442.34 KPa c. 376.23 KPa
b. 339.38 KPa d. 378.23 KPa

15. From the figure shown, the atmospheric pressure is 101.03 Kpa and the absolute
pressure at the bottom of the tank is 235.0 Kpa, what is the specific gravity of olive
oil?

s = 0.78 1.5 m

water 2.5 m

Olive oil 3m

Mercury 0.5 m

a. 0.98 c. 1.54
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Fluid Mechanics

b. 1.06 d. 2.56

SITUATION 4(16-19): From the figure shown,

D
2m
B air
air 1m

C 1m

2m
A
water
water water

16. Find the pressure at A

a. 26.45 KPa c. 27.43 KPa
b. 28.45 KPa d. 29.43 KPa
17. Find the pressure at B
a. -9.81 KPa c. 9.81 KPa
b. -19.81 KPa d. 19.81 KPa
18. Find the pressure at C
a. -9.81 KPa c. 12.23 KPa
b. -12.23 KPa d. 9.81 KPa
19. Find the pressure at D
a. -37.53 KPa c. -67.34 KPa
b. -45.34 KPa d. -49.05 KPa

SITUATION 5(20-22): From the figure shown,

air A
air C
.4 m
.4 m

0.5 m oil(s = 0.9)

B

water 1m
D

20. Calculate the pressure, in KPa, at A

a. -7.49 KPa c. -8.44 KPa
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 Fluid Mechanics

b. 7.49 KPa d. 8.44 KPa

21. Calculate the pressure, in KPa, at B
a. 5.33 KPa c. 4.91 KPa
b. 3.78 KPa d. 7.11 KPa
22. Calculate the pressure, in KPa, at D
a. 34.22 KPa c. 24.33 KPa
b. 26.57 KPa d. 21.69 KPa
23. Determine the heights of columns of water equivalent to 288 mm Hg.
a. 4.11 m c. 3.92 m
b. 3.22 m d. 5.23 m
24. Determine the heights of columns of kerosene(s = 0.9), equivalent to 288 mm Hg.
a. 4.35 m c. 5.22 m
b. 3.12 m d. 4.78 m
25. Determine the heights of columns of nectar (s = 2.94) equivalent to 288 mm Hg.
a. 1.67 m c. 2.03 m
b. 1.33 m d. 2.11 m
26. Determine the pressure at A from the figure shown. The liquid has a specific gravity
of 1.85.

a. 13.45 KPa
b. 15.23 KPa
c. 11.72 KPa
d. 10.79 KPa
7.77 m

SITUATION 6(27-29): For the open tank, with piezometers attached on the side,
containing two different immiscible liquids, as shown in the figure, find the

El. 2 m A

Liquid A (s =.72)
B

El. 0.3 m
Liquid B (s = 2.38)
30 El. 0 m
Fluid Mechanics

27. Elevation of the liquid surface in piezometer A.

a. 2.2 m c. 2.0 m
b. 2.1 m d. 1.8 m
28. Elevation of the liquid surface in piezometer B.
a. 0.81 m c. 0.85 m
b. 0.73 m d. 0.87 m
29. Total pressure at the bottom of the tank.
a. 23.05 KPa c. 19.01 KPa
b. 24.05 KPa d. 18.67 KPa

SITUATION 7(30-31): The air-oil-water system in the figure shown is at 70 °F. If the
gage A reads 9.65 Kpa and gage B reads 13.79 Kpa less than gage C, compute:
30. the specific weight of the oil
a. 8.13 KN/m3 c. 9.22 KN/m3
b. 8.53 KN/m3 d. 7.92 KN/m3
31. the reading on gage C
a. 28.28 KPa c. 24.67 KPa
b. 32.95 KPa d. 30.06 KPa

32. Find out the vertical height of the mountain top above the sea level, if the barometer
reading at the top is 738 mm of mercury. Assume that the specific weight of air is
constant at 11.9 N/m3 and the sea level barometric pressure is 760 mm of mercury.
a. 246.65 m c. 312.56 m
b. 189.11 m d. 415.34 m

SITUATION 8(33-35): Calculate the pressure in KN/m2 corresponding to the following

pressure heads:
33. 0.5 m of mercury
a. 46.81 KPa c. 66.71 KPa
b. 72.33 KPa d. 45.33 KPa
34. 3 m of oil having specific gravity of 0.80
a. 27.14 KPa c. 29.11 KPa
b. 23.54 KPa d. 27.45 KPa
35. 2 m of water
a. 15.33 KPa c. 23.68 KPa
b. 14.54 KPa d. 19.62 KPa

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 Fluid Mechanics

36. Calculate the height of liquid level above the bottom of the tank in piezometer tubes
shown in the figure.

0.8 m liquid, s = 0.8

1.0 m water

0.9 m liquid, s = 1.5

0.8 m mercury

a. 3.4 m, 3.24 m, 2.69 m, 1.02 m

b. 3.5 m, 3.34 m, 2.79 m, 1.02 m
c. 3.6 m, 3.44 m, 2.89 m, 1.02 m
d. 3.7 m, 3.54 m, 2.99 m, 1.02 m

37. A manometer is attached to a horizontal pipe as shown in figure. If the pressure at

point A is 69 KPa, find the deflection of mercury in the manometer.

A oil(s = 0.90)

0.90 m

a. 0.577 m c. 0.611 m
b. 0.435 m d. 0.456 m
38. An open tank contains a liquid 5 m deep with unit weight of 7 KN/m3. Water is
poured over the liquid and the total depth of both liquid is 8 m. Determine the gage
pressure in KPa at the bottom of the tank.
a. 64.43 KPa c. 56.00 KPa
b. 78.48 KPa d. 70.05 KPa

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Fluid Mechanics

39. Air is kept at a pressure of 170 kPa absolute and a temperature of 27 oC in a 500 liter
container. What is the mass of air in slugs?
a. 0.068 slug c. 0.058 slug
b. 0.078 slug d. 0.088 slug

40. What is the specific weight of air at 450 kPaabs and 25 oC?
a. 41.62 N/m3 c. 61.62 N/m3
b. 51.62 N/m3 d. 71.62 N/m3

41. A liquid compressed in a container has a volume of 1.5 liter at a pressure of 1 MPa
and a volume of 1.255 liter at a pressure of 2 MPa what is the bulk modulus of
elasticity of the liquid?
a. 6.22 c. 6.12
b. 6.32 d. 6.52

42. Water in a hydraulic press, initially at 137 kPaabs, is subjected to a pressure of 117,
130 kPaabs. Using E = 2.5 GPa, determine the percentage decrease in the volume of
the water.
a. dV/V = 5.68% c. dV/V = 3.68%
b. dV/V = 4.68% d. dV/V = 6.68%

43. The fuel gauge for a gasoline (sp. gr. = 0.68) tank in a car reads proportional to its
bottom gauge. If the tank is 35 cm deep and accidentally contaminated with 5 cm of
water, how many centimeters of gasoline does the tank actually contain when the
gauge erroneously reads full?
a. 29.65 cm c. 26.65 cm
b. 28.65 cm d. 27.65 cm

44. In figure shown, fluid 2 is carbon tetrachloride(s = 1.6) and fluid 1 is benzene(s =
0.9). If the atmospheric pressure is 101.5 KPa, determine the absolute pressure at
point A.

a. 106.45 KPa c. 108.45 KPa

b. 107.45 KPa d. 105.45 KPa

fluid 1

40 cm
A
15 cm

fluid 1

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 Fluid Mechanics

45. A manometer is attached to a pipe containing oil(s = 0.84), as shown in the figure.
Determine the pressure at point A

1.6 m
oil(s = 0.84)

A
0.25 m

water

a. 12.56 KPa c. 15.22 KPa

b. 18.34 KPa d. 13.64 KPa

46. Assuming the barometer reads 760 mm Hg, what is the absolute pressure for 900
mm Hg gauge?
a. 74.213 kPa c. 221.24 kPa
b. 48 kPa d. 358 kPa

47. A barometer reads 760 mm Hg and a pressure gage attached to a tank reads 850 cm
of oil (sp.gr. 0.80). What is the absolute pressure in the tank in kPa?
a. 168.1 kPa c. 186.1 kPa
b. 118.6 kPa d. 161.8 kPa

48. In the figure shown, the 20C water and gasoline surfaces are open to the atmosphere
and at the same elevation. What is the height h of the third liquid in the right leg?

gasoline, s= 0.8
1.5 m water

h
1.0 m liquid, s = 1.6

a. 1.375 m c. 1.575 m

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Fluid Mechanics

b. 1.475 m d. 1.675 m

49. For the three-liquid system shown, compute h1 and h2. Neglect the air density.

oil (s =0.8)
water

mercury h2
27 cm

8 cm 5 cm
h1

a. h1 = 6.015 cm, h2 = 51 cm c. h1 = 8.015 cm, h2 = 61 cm

b. h1 = 7.015 cm, h2 = 81 cm d. h1 = 9.015 cm, h2 = 71 cm

50. The hydraulic jack as shown is filled with oil at 58 lbf/ft3. Neglecting the weight of
the two pistons, what force F on the handle is required to support the 2200-lb weight
for this design?

a. 42.88 lb 2200 lb 5 in 20 in F
b. 46.88 lb 3 in ∅
c. 48.88 lb
d. 44.88 lb
1 in ∅

oil

51. The U-tube in the figure has a 1cm inner diameter and contains mercury as shown. If
20 cm3 of water is poured into the right-hand leg, what will the free-surface height in
each leg be after the sloshing has died down?

a. 13.9362 cm & 35.5286 cm

b. 14.9362 cm & 34.5286 cm mercury
c. 10.9362 cm & 38.5286 cm
d. 12.9362 cm & 36.5286 cm 12 cm 12 cm

12 cm
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 Fluid Mechanics

SITUATION 9 (52-53): At 20˚C gage A reads 280 kPa.

52. What is the height h of the water in cm?
a. 125.24 cm c. 141.24 cm
b. 115.24 cm d. 135.24 cm
53. What should gage B read in kPa?
a. 173.26 KPa 153.76 KPa
b. 163.76 KPa 143.76 KPa

air: 160 KPa

water
h

80 c m
mercury

A B
54. The fuel gage for a gasoline tank in a car reads proportional to the bottom gage
pressure as shown in the figure. If the tank is 30 cm deep and accidentally contains 2
cm of water plus gasoline, how many centimeters of air remain at the top when the
gage erroneously reads “full”?
a. 0.96 cm
b. 0.76 cm air h
c. 0.86 cm
d. 0.66 cm

30 c m gasoline s = 0.70

water 2cm

Pgage
55. In Figure shown, determine the pressure difference between points A and B.

kerosene (s =0.7)

air
benzene (s =0.78)

40 c m
A B
8cm

18 c m
12 c m
8cm

mercury water
36
Fluid Mechanics

a. 9.85 KPa c. 7.75 KPa

b. 6.75 KPa d. 8.75 KPa

56. For the inverted manometer of shown, pB - pA = 150 kPa, what must the height H be
in cm?
oil (s =0.80)

20 cm

a. 57.86 cm
b. 87.86 cm
c. 77.86 cm water H
d. 67.86 cm
A

40 c m
mercury

57. In the figure shown, the pressure at point A is 170 KPa. What is the air pressure in
the closed chamber B, in Pa?

oil (s = 0.80)
air B

liquid (s = 1.4)
4 cm

5 cm 6 cm 15 cm
A

4 cm
a. 158.47 KPa water c. 148.47 KPa
b. 168.47 KPa d. 178.47 KPa

58. Water flows upward in a pipe slanted at 30˚, as shown in the figure. The mercury
manometer reads h =15 cm. What is the pressure difference p1 – p2 in the pipe?

a. 24.206 KPa c. 22.206 KPa

b. 26.206 KPa d. 29.869 KPa

37
 Fluid Mechanics

15 cm

2m

59. In the figure shown, both the tank and the tube are open to the atmosphere. If L = 2.5
m, what is the angle of tilt θ of the tube?

40 cm oil (s = 0.80)

θ
60 cm water

a. 58.41˚ c. 78.41˚
b. 68.41˚ d. 48.41˚

60. From the figure shown, compute the pressure at point A.

oil (s = 0.80)

A 5 in
10 in
6 in
water

mercury
a. 4.326 psi c. 4.626 psi
b. 4.526 psi d. 4.426 psi

61. The system in the figure shown is open to atmosphere on the right side. If L =80
cm, what is the air pressure in container A?

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Fluid Mechanics

air
air

14 cm
water

30˚
20 cm
16 cm

mercury

a. 24.85 KPa c. 26.85 KPa

b. 28.85 KPa d. 22.85 KPa

62. In the figure shown, the cover gate AB closes a circular opening 90 cm in diameter.
The gate is held closed by a 200-kg mass as shown. Assume standard gravity at 20C.
At what water level h will the gate be dislodged? Neglect the weight of the gate.
a. 0.214 m c. 0.314 m
b. 0.414 m d. 0.514 m

h
m = 200 kg

A B 0.4 m

water 4m

SITUATION 10(63-65): A tank contains oil (s = 0.80), gasoline (s = 0.90) and sea water
(s = 1.03). If the depths of the liquids are 0.5 m, 0.8 m and 1 m for oil, gasoline, and sea
water respectively.

63. Determine the pressure at a depth of 1.2 m

a. 19.62 KPa c. 10.10 KPa
b. 15.74 KPa d. 18.33 KPa
64. Determine the pressure at the depth of 1.8 m.
a. 17.55 KPa c. 18.07 KPa
39
 Fluid Mechanics

b. 19.12 KPa d. 16.04 KPa

65. Determine the presuure throughout the bottom.
a. 20.77 KPa c. 29.12 KPa
b. 22.19 KPa d. 21.09 KPa

40