What is the hydrostatic pressure at the base of a vertical foot of water?

The hydrostatic pressure at the base of a vertical foot of water is determined by the formula:

[ P = \rho g h ]

where ( P ) is the pressure, ( \rho ) is the density of the fluid (for water, about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot), ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 32.2 feet per second squared), and ( h ) is the height of the water column in feet.

For a one-foot column of water, the calculations yield:

[

P = 62.4 , \text{lb/ft}^3 \times \frac{1 , \text{ft}}{144 , \text{in}^2} \approx 0.433 , \text{psi}

]

This shows that the hydrostatic pressure exerted at the base of a vertical foot of water is approximately 0.433 psi. This value is a direct result of the density of water and the height of the water column, and it illustrates the principle that the pressure increases with the depth of the fluid.

Understanding this concept is crucial for high-pressure boiler operation and maintenance, as it demonstrates how pressure varies