Fluid Pressure

Fluid pressure refers to a measurement of the force per unit area that acts on an object in the fluid
or on a closed container’s surface. Furthermore, the cause of this pressure is due to acceleration,
gravity, or by forces that are outside the closed container. The application of the pressure is in all
directions because the fluid has no definite shape.

Introduction to Fluid Pressure

Consider the case of fluid pressure in a column. Furthermore, in a fluid column, the pressure
increases just as the depth increases. Most noteworthy, the reason for this pressure increase is
because as one goes deeper, fluid at a lower depth will have to support fluid that is above it.
                                                                                                                        Fluid Pressure

How do we Measure Fluid Pressure?

When a fluid is at rest, there is an exertion of a force that is perpendicular to any surface in
contact with it. This force is known as fluid pressure and it is due to the continuous, random
motion of molecules. Furthermore, the measurement of fluid pressure takes place in Pascals (Pa).

An important point to note is that one Pascal is equal to one Newton per square meter (N/m2).
Furthermore, fluid pressure is independent of the fluid’s mass. However, its calculation can take
with the density and height of the fluid.
Now, one must set up the equation. Furthermore, the equation for this pressure is independent of
the liquid’s volume or mass. Moreover, fluid pressure is the product of the liquid’s density, the
height of the liquid that is above the object, and gravity.

The height of the liquid is the largest variable in the equation because the gravity and liquid
densities are fixed. Furthermore, the fluid pressure formula or equation reads as Pfluid = ρgh,
where ρ refers to the liquid’s density, g refers to the acceleration of gravity, and h refers to the
liquid’s height (or fluid’s depth).

Next comes the multiplication of the variables. In order to solve the equation, one must take the
product of the three variables. For this purpose, a calculator can be used.

For example, consider the case of a fluid with a density of (1.08 x 103 kg/m3) and it was 5.00 m
high. Now, one would multiply (1.08 x 103 kg/m3) x 9.81 m/s2 (acceleration of gravity on Earth)
x 5.00 m. Finally, one would attain the answer of 5.30 x 104.

Now one must analyze the results. Furthermore, one must make sure that the results add up
logically. Moreover, there must not be reading for negative fluid pressure.

One must also compare different measurements in order to check whether they follow the
expected trends. For example, more dense liquids, at the same height, will exert more pressure.
Moreover, there will be the exertion of more pressure by the same liquid when the height is
higher.

Water is certainly denser than oil. As such, one can expect exertion of more fluid pressure by
water in comparison to oil at the same height.

Formula of Fluid Pressure

Pfluid = P + ρgh

where,

P = Pressure at the reference point

Pfluid is the pressure at a point in a fluid

ρ is the fluid’s density

g is the acceleration because of gravity (considering earth g = 9.8 m/s)

h is the height from the reference point

The calculation of the density of the fluid can take place by dividing the fluid’s mass in
consideration with the volume of fluid taken.
ρ = m/v

where,

m is the fluid’s mass

v is the fluid’s volume considered

If the fluid is subject to atmospheric pressure, then the total pressure on the system is as

Pfluid = Po + ρgh

where,

Po is the atmospheric pressure

FAQs For Fluid Pressure

Answer 1: There are two types of fluid pressure: dynamic pressure and static pressure. Static
pressure is the pressure of the fluid which behaves as a potential and the pressure measured turns
out to be the same in all directions.

In contrast, dynamic pressure is the pressure of a liquid that is moving. Furthermore, dynamic
pressure depends on the direction of motion. Furthermore, dynamic pressure behaves like the
flow current.

Question 2: What are the factors that affect fluid pressure?

Answer 2: There are two factors that affect fluid pressure. The first factor is the depth of the
fluid: the exertion of the pressure by the fluid increases as the depth increases. The second factor
is the density of the fluid: there is the exertion of more pressure by denser fluids like water in
comparison to lighter fluids like air.

Properties of Fluids

2 Fluids A fluid is anything that flows: liquids and gases

3 Density The density of a substance is the quantity of matter contained in a unit volume of the
substance.

4 Temperature It is the property that determines the degree of hotness or coldness or the level
of heat intensity of a fluid. Temperature is measured by using temperature scales.There are 3
commonly used temperature scales. They are Celsius (or centigrade) scale Fahrenheit scale
Kelvin scale (or absolute temperature scale)

5 Pressure Pressure of a fluid is the force per unit area of the fluid. In other words, it is the ratio
of force on a fluid to the area of the fluid held perpendicular to the direction of the force.
Pressure is denoted by the letter ‘P’. Its unit is N/m2.

6 KMT & Fluid Pressure The Link Between P (Pressure) and n(The amount of the substance)
The pressure of a gas results from collisions between the gas particles and the walls of the
container. Each time a gas particle hits the wall, it exerts a force on the wall. An increase in the
number of gas particles in the container increases the frequency of collisions with the walls and
therefore the pressure of the gas.

7 Viscosity Viscosity, m, is the property of a fluid, due to cohesion and interaction between
molecules, which offers resistance to sheer deformation. Different fluids deform at different rates
under the same shear stress. Fluid with a high viscosity such as syrup, deforms more slowly than
fluid with a low viscosity such as water. What does that mean? It means that viscosity is the
measure of how capable it is of flowing. In a liquid, viscosity decreases with increase in
temperature. In a gas, viscosity increases with increase in temperature. Viscosity is also known
as the resistance to flow.

Classification of Fluids

Fluids are classified into four types depending on its flow, they are:

1. Steady or unsteady
2. Compressible or incompressible
3. Viscous or non-viscous
4. Rotational or irrotational

Steady fluid: It is the fluid whose density remains constant at each and every point while
flowing.

Unsteady fluid: It is the fluid whose velocity differs between any two points while flowing.

Compressible fluid and incompressible fluids: These are classified based on the mach number.
The incompressible fluid has mach number<0.3 and the compressible fluid has mach number
between 0.3 and 1.

Viscous or Non-viscous

Fluids with more thickness or viscosity are known as viscous fluids, they are generally very
gloppy fluids. Examples: shampoo and motor oil.
Fluids with comparatively less thickness or viscosity are known as non-viscous fluids. These are
the fluids with no resistance or negligible resistance to internal friction. Non-viscous fluids flow
without any loss of kinetic energy.

Example: Superfluid liquid helium

Rotational or irrotational

If the angle between the two intersecting lines of the boundary of the fluid element changes
while moving in the flow, the flow is a rotational flow. Depending on the angular motion of the
fluid, it is classified into rotational fluid or irrotational fluid.

If the fluid rotates as a whole with no change in angles between the boundary lines, the flow of
the fluid is classified as irrotational flow.

Based on the study of fluids, they are classified into two types, they are:

Fluids statics: It is the mechanism of fluids at rest or non-motion, and the pressure in fluids
exerted by fluids on anybody.

Fluids dynamics – It involves the study of the flow of fluids at motion. Popular branches like
aerodynamics and hydrodynamics are part of fluid dynamics.

Properties of Fluids

After understanding what is fluid and its classification, let us know some of the main properties
of fluids. Properties of fluids are:

1. Density

2. Viscosity

3. Temperature

4. Pressure

5. Specific Volume

6. Specific Weight

7. Specific Gravity

8. Surface Tension

9. Vapour Pressure
10. Capillarity

11. Cavitation

Density

Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a fluid. The density of a substance varies as per
the volume of a substance. The SI unit of density is

Viscosity

Viscosity determines the amount of resistance offered by the fluid to shear stress. A fluid that
offers no resistance to shear stress is called an inviscid fluid.

Temperature

The degree of hotness or coldness of the body is determined by the temperature. The temperature
of the fluid is measured using Kelvin or Celsius or Fahrenheit. According to the International
System of Units, the Kelvin scale is used.

Pressure
The pressure of a fluid is the force applied by it per unit area. Fluid pressure takes place in two
conditions: open condition and closed condition. The pressure at any given point of a static fluid
is called hydrostatic pressure.

Specific Volume

It is defined as the ratio of the volume of the material to its mass. Specific volume is the
reciprocal of the density of the material. Specific volume is inversely proportional to density.

The SI unit of specific volume is

Specific Weight

The specific weight (γ) of a fluid is defined as the weight per unit volume. The SI unit of specific
weight is

Specific weight is related to density as γ = ρg. The specific weight of fluid varies with
temperature.

Specific Gravity

It is the ratio of the specific weight of the given fluid to the specific weight of standard fluid.
Specific Gravity is also known as relative density. It is represented by the letter ‘S’ and has no
unit.

Surface Tension

It is the tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink in minimum surface area. Surface tension is caused
by cohesive forces between the liquid molecules.

Note: Surface tension is the main reason for most insects to float on the water despite being
denser than water.

Vapour Pressure

The vapour pressure of a liquid is the equilibrium pressure of a vapour above its liquid. The
vapour pressure of a liquid varies with temperature. As the temperature increases, the vapour
pressure also increases.

Cavitation

The process of cavitation happens when bubbles or voids form within a fluid. This process takes
place when the pressure drops instantaneously below the vapour pressure.
After knowing the properties of fluids, let us know various types of fluids.

Types of Fluids
After learning the properties of fluids along with its classification, let us learn the types of fluids.

 Ideal fluid
 Real fluid
 Newtonian fluid
 Non-Newtonian fluid
 Ideal plastic fluid
 Incompressible fluid
 Compressible fluid

Ideal fluid: It is a fluid that does not have viscosity and cannot be compressed. This type of fluid
cannot exist practically.

Real fluid: All types of fluids that possess viscosity are classified as real fluids. Examples:
Kerosene and castor oil.

Newtonian fluid: A real fluid that abides by Newton’s law of viscosity is known as a Newtonian
fluid. Example: Hydrogen and water

Non-Newtonian fluid: Fluids that do not abide by Newton’s law of viscosity are known as Non-
Newtonian fluid. Example: Oobleck and flubber

Ideal plastic fluid: If the shear stress is directly proportional to the velocity gradient, and if the
value of shear stress is greater than the resultant, it is referred to as ideal plastic fluid.

Incompressible fluid: If fluid’s density does not vary on the application of force, it is known as
an incompressible fluid. Example: The stream of water flowing at high speed from a garden hose
pipe.

Compressible fluid: If fluid’s density varies on the application of force, it is called a

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

A substance that does not possess a definite shape and easily yields to external pressure is known as a
fluid.

The study of the flow of fluids at motion is known as?

The study of the flow of fluids at motion is known as fluid dynamics.

Define steady fluid

The fluid whose density remains constant at each and every point while flowing is known as steady fluid.
State true or false: Fluids do not oppose deformation.

True.

Is air fluid?

Yes, air is a fluid. Any substance that flows is termed as fluid.