Math Problem Statement

Find the absolute pressure in kPa at a depth of 12 m below the free surface of oil of sp. gr. 0.75 if the barometric reading is 74v0 mmHg.

Solution

To find the absolute pressure at a depth of 12 m below the surface of the oil, we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Understanding the Formula for Pressure

The total absolute pressure PabsP_{\text{abs}} at a depth in a fluid is given by:

Pabs=Patm+ρghP_{\text{abs}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho g h

Where:

  • PatmP_{\text{atm}} is the atmospheric pressure (from the barometric reading).
  • ρ\rho is the density of the fluid (oil in this case).
  • gg is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81m/s29.81 \, \text{m/s}^2).
  • hh is the depth below the fluid surface.

Step 2: Convert the Barometric Reading to kPa

The barometric reading is given as 740mmHg740 \, \text{mmHg}. To convert this to kilopascals (kPa), we use the conversion factor:

1mmHg=0.133322kPa1 \, \text{mmHg} = 0.133322 \, \text{kPa}

Thus, the atmospheric pressure in kPa is:

Patm=740mmHg×0.133322kPa/mmHg=98.65728kPaP_{\text{atm}} = 740 \, \text{mmHg} \times 0.133322 \, \text{kPa/mmHg} = 98.65728 \, \text{kPa}

Step 3: Calculate the Density of Oil

The specific gravity of oil is 0.75. Since the specific gravity is the ratio of the fluid's density to the density of water, we can calculate the density of oil as:

ρoil=0.75×1000kg/m3=750kg/m3\rho_{\text{oil}} = 0.75 \times 1000 \, \text{kg/m}^3 = 750 \, \text{kg/m}^3

Step 4: Calculate the Gauge Pressure Due to the Oil Column

The pressure due to the depth of the oil column is given by:

Poil=ρoil×g×hP_{\text{oil}} = \rho_{\text{oil}} \times g \times h

Where:

  • ρoil=750kg/m3\rho_{\text{oil}} = 750 \, \text{kg/m}^3,
  • g=9.81m/s2g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2,
  • h=12mh = 12 \, \text{m}.

Substituting these values:

Poil=750×9.81×12=88290Pa=88.29kPaP_{\text{oil}} = 750 \times 9.81 \times 12 = 88290 \, \text{Pa} = 88.29 \, \text{kPa}

Step 5: Calculate the Absolute Pressure

Finally, the absolute pressure is the sum of the atmospheric pressure and the pressure due to the oil column:

Pabs=Patm+Poil=98.65728kPa+88.29kPa=186.94728kPaP_{\text{abs}} = P_{\text{atm}} + P_{\text{oil}} = 98.65728 \, \text{kPa} + 88.29 \, \text{kPa} = 186.94728 \, \text{kPa}

Answer:

The absolute pressure at a depth of 12 m below the surface of the oil is approximately:

Pabs=186.95kPaP_{\text{abs}} = 186.95 \, \text{kPa}

Do you want further details or have any questions?

Here are five questions that build on this topic:

  1. How would the pressure change if the specific gravity of the oil increased?
  2. What is the gauge pressure at the same depth in water instead of oil?
  3. How does the depth of the fluid affect the absolute pressure?
  4. What is the significance of atmospheric pressure in calculating absolute pressure?
  5. How can you calculate pressure at different depths in different liquids?

Tip: Always make sure to convert all units to a consistent system before performing calculations to avoid errors.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Fluid Mechanics
Pressure Calculation
Unit Conversion

Formulas

P_abs = P_atm + ρgh
P_atm = barometric reading × 0.133322
ρ_oil = specific gravity × 1000

Theorems

Hydrostatic Pressure Formula
Unit Conversion between mmHg and kPa

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Engineering/Physics