Fluid Pressure Direction Acts Normal to Surface
Fluid pressure exerts a force on any surface it contacts. A fundamental principle in fluid mechanics states that this pressure acts perpendicular to the surface at all points.
- The pressure at a point within a fluid is the same in all directions.
- When this pressure acts on a boundary or surface, the force exerted by the pressure is always directed normal (perpendicular) to that surface.
- This applies regardless of the shape or orientation of the surface. Pressure does not act parallel to the surface.
Therefore, the pressure of a fluid on a surface acts normal to the surface.
Important Questions from Hydrostatic Law
What is the water pressure on the sea bottom at a depth of 6500 m? The specific gravity of sea water is assumed to be 1.03.
If barometric pressure on a mountain top is 735 mm of mercury, then the pressure (in N/m2) will be:
Which law states that the rate of increase of pressure in a vertical direction is equal to weight density of a fluid at a point?
A beaker contains water up to a height of h/3. Find the location of centre of pressure.
The specific weight W of ocean water changes according to the equation W = Wo + C√h. W0 = Specific weight of ocean water at free surface and C is a constant. The pressure as a function of depth h is given by
