Question

Can someone please clarify pressure concepts for me? If I understand correctly, then pressure in a closed container (like a hydraulic pump) is the same at all points throughout the fluid (P = F/A). However, does this mean that an object inside the container would experience uniform pressure anywhere in the container? If the container were a tall rectangular closed vessel, would an object inside the vessel still experience an increase in pressure as it drops (due to having more fluid weighing down on top of it)?

Answer 1

Pascal's law states that when pressure is placed on a fluid in a container, the pressure will disperse equally to all parts of the container. In other words, the pressure of fluid furthest away from the pressure point and the pressure of fluid closest to the pressure point will be the same.

An object inside the tank would certainly feel that additional pressure but it would also feel a static pressure based on its location within the tank.

Answer 2

Thank you! So is it correct to say that in an open system (with atmospheric pressure) that the atmosphere provides the dispersed pressure that in a closed system is provided by the piston? For example, when calculating the absolute pressure at a given location in a fluid system normally (Pabs = Po + density*g*h) but in a closed container (with a piston) then the applied pressure to the piston Pp would be measured as P= f/a and the total pressure felt by the object would be measured as Pabs = Pp + density*g*h ?

Answer 3

That looks exactly right :)

Answer 4

Awesome - thanks for your help!

Answer 5

np, good luck :)