Chapter II • DEFINITIONS AND UNITS

Problem 2.21

A diver descends 100 m to a sunken ship. A container is found with a pressure gage
reading 100 kPa (gage). Atmospheric pressure is 100 kPa. What is the absolute
pressure of the gas in the container? {The density of water is 1000 kg/m 3.)

Given: Gage pressure reading of container at 100 m water depth.

Find: Absolute pressure of gas in container.

Sketch and Given Data:

Assumptions: 1) Acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2.

Analysis: Absolute pressure in container is gage reading plus absolute pressure of

surroundings.

Pc = 100 kPa + Psurr

Surroundings pressure is surface pressure plus pressure of 100 m column of

water.

3 2
psurr = p atm + pLg = lOO kPa + (1000 kg/m ){100 m)(9.8 m/s )
(1000 Pa/kPa)

= 1080 kPa
Pc= 100 kPa + 1080 kPa
= 1180 kPa

2-21