ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

8. Pressure – is the normal force per unit area. It is the rate of change of momentum of
molecules striking the surface.

P = F/A

 Absolute Pressure – is the true pressure measured above a perfect vacuum.

 Gauge Pressure – is the pressure measured from the level of atmospheric pressure by
most pressure reading instruments like pressure gauge and open-ended manometer.

Pg = Specific weight h

Pg = density g h

 Atmospheric Pressure – is the pressure obtained from barometric reading; pressure due to
weight.

= Pg +

 Vacuum Pressure – a pressure that is less than the atmospheric pressure. A vacuum
pressure is also a negative gauge pressure. The perfect vacuum is 101.325 kPag.
 Barometer – is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
 Manometer – is an instrument used to measure gauge pressure.

Illustration

> (+ Pgauge)

= 101.325 kPa = 14.7 psi , 0 kpag

(-)Pgauge/vac pressure = Pgauge +

<

Perfect vacuum

1 = 101.325 kPa = 101325 Pa

= 14.7 psi = 760 torr = 1 atm
= 1.032 /m2 = 1.013 bar =0
= 29.92 inHg = 1.013x106 dyn/cm2 =0
= 760 mmHg

1 bar = 100 kPa = 100 103 Pa = 1 Pa

Example

Given the barometric pressure of 14.7 psi (29.92 inHg), make the following conversions:

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

a.) 80 to and to atm.

b.) 20 to and to &
c.) 10 to &

Solution:

a.) b.) = c. ) to to
= + Pgauge = + Pgauge =
= psi = inHg inHg = Pg psi
= 94.7 = Pg = – psi
= = inHg Pg =
= atm = Pg =
= kPa
=

Fluid Pressure

Illustration

P = F/A
h

for Pressure @ point A:

PA =

for Pressure @ point B:

Pg = F/A = W/A

W = mg ; from, m = V = Ah

therefore: W = Ah g

Pg = F/A = W/A = Ah g/A = h g

PBg = gh = h

= Pg + PB – PA = gh
PB = gh + PA PA – PB = - gh

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

1. Open type/ Simple U-tube manometer

P P

zB ZA

zc

P2

∫ ∫

∫ ∫ – =

= ( – ) – = 2gh2/k ②

– = 1gh1/k ①

Eliminating through ① ②;

– – = 1gh1/k + 2gh2/k

– = 2gh2/k 1gh1/k

= + 2gh2/k 1gh1/k

Or it can be calculated using summation of pressure. In summation of pressure of fluids inside

manometer, pressure decreases (negative) in going upward and increase (positive) in going
downward.

∑P = 0

+ 1gh1/k – 2gh2/k =0

– = 2gh2/k 1gh1/k

= + 2gh2/k 1gh1/k

= + 2gh2/k 1gh1/k

2. Differential Manometer
∑P = 0
+ 1gh1 – 2gh2 – 3gh3= 0
+ 1h1 – 2h2 – 3h3 = 0
– = 2gh2 + 3gh3 – 1gh1
= + 2gh2/k + 3gh3/k 1gh1/k

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

Example

1.) A simple mercury manometer connected into a flow line gives reading as shown. Local
gravity is standard and the density of the mercury is 0.488 lb/in3. Find the pressure @
points x and y when the flow line and left leg contains water whose density is 62.1 lb/ft3.

Given: h1 = 25 in; h2 = 40 in
3
Hg = 0.488 lb/in
3
H2O = 62.1 lb/ft

∑P = 0
– HgghHg – =0 x
= HgghHg +

= + 14 psi y

= 34.22 psi Answer

∑P = 0
+ H20ghH2O – = 0
= – H20ghH2O

= 34.22 –

= 33.32 psi Answer

Archimedes Principle

A body submerged in fluid is subjected by an unbalanced force (Buoyant Force)

which is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.

from o= Wo/Vo
Wo = oVo = ogVo/k
Wo = SGo H2oVo = SGo H20gVo/k

Case 1: Floating Object ( o SGfluid)

Where; W
∑F = 0 Vo = volume of object
Fb – Wo = 0 Ve = volume of object exposed to air Ve
Fb = Wo Vd = volume of the fluid displaced Vd
Vo = Ve + Vd
Fb
Fb = fVd

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

Case 2: Submerged Object ( o> SGfluid)

W
Fb = fVd ;Vd = Vo

∑F = 0
Fb + R – W = 0
Wo = Fb + R
Fb R

Homogeneous solid bodies floating in homogeneous fluid at rest:

Vs = .V where:

As = .A Vs = submerged volume equal to the displaced volume

Hs = .h As = submerged area

Hs = submerged height

Examples

1.) A block of wood that weighs 71.2N and SG w = 0.72 is tied by a string to the bottom of a tank
of water in order to have the block totally immersed. Determine the tension of the string.

Ww = 71.2 N
SGw = 0.72 W
T=?

Solution T
Fb

∑F = 0 from

Fb – T – Ww = 0 Ww = Vw ; ; = SGw

T = Fb Ww Ww = SGw Vw

T= H2OVw Ww Vw =

T= H2O ( ) Ww

T= Ww = – 71.2N

T = 27.69N Answer

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

2.) A block of wood floats in water with 7 inches projecting above the water surface. It is then
placed in alcohol of SGal = 0.82 and projected 4 inches above the surface. What is the specific
gravity of the block?
Given:

h h
7 in 4 in

In Water in Alcohol (SG=0.82)

Required:

Fb = H2OVd Fb = Ww

Ww = wVw alVd = wVw

w = SGw H2O SGal H2O A (h 4) = SGw H2O A h

Fb = Ww SGw = SGal ②

H2OVd = wVw

H2O A (h-7) = SGw H2O A h

SGw = ①

①=②

= SGal

Answer

3.) Find the density of a stone that weighs 50kg in air and 20kg in water.

Given:
Ws = 50 – weight of stone in air
R = 20 – weight of stone in water

Required:
s – density of a stone

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 ME 02: Basic Thermodynamics

Solution:
R = Ws Fb
Fb = Ws – R
Fb = 50 – 20
Fb = 30

30 = 294.3N
= 9810 N/m3 ; Ws = mg
H2O
Fb = H2OVs
Vs = Fb/ H2O = = 0.03 m3

ms = Ws/g =

ms = 50 kgm

s = ms/Vs = 50 kgm/0.03m3

s= 1666.67 kgm/m3 Answer

4.) The density of the ice is 917 kg/m3. Approximate density of seawater in which the iceberg
floats is 1025 kg/m3. What fraction of the iceberg is beneath the water surface?

Given:
ice= 917 kg/m3
3
sw = 1025 kg/m

Required:

- fraction of the iceberg is beneath the water surface

Solution:

Fb = Wice

swVs = iceVice

= 89.46% Answer

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