Calculating Local Atmospheric Pressure - 1.2 | 4. Introduction to Barometers | Hydraulic Engineering - Vol 1
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Introduction to Barometers

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we will discuss barometers. Can anyone tell me what a barometer does?

Student 1
Student 1

It measures atmospheric pressure!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A barometer measures atmospheric pressure using the height of a fluid column, often mercury. If R is 750 mm of Hg, how can we calculate the atmospheric pressure?

Student 2
Student 2

We can use the equation P = S * R, where S is the density of the fluid.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! So if we calculate that, we find... (pause for interaction) what value do you think we would get?

Student 3
Student 3

Approximately 100,000 Pascal!

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! That's a staple example of pressure measurement.

Understanding Piezometric Head

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's look at piezometric head. This concept states that the pressure in a fluid remains constant across two points - can you visualize this?

Student 1
Student 1

I think so, it means pressure doesn't change as long as it's the same fluid and under the same conditions right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Now, can someone tell me what the main formula would be, involving P1 and P2?

Student 4
Student 4

It's P1 = P2 - (z2 - z1)!

Teacher
Teacher

Fantastic! Remember, piezometric head helps in analyzing fluid statics effectively.

Pressure Calculation in Gases

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's shift gears to gases. Can someone explain how pressure varies in an isothermal process?

Student 2
Student 2

In an isothermal process, temperature remains constant. We use the formula PV = nRT.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! And if we have the relationship of p with density, we get pressure as...?

Student 3
Student 3

Pressure can be expressed as p = pM / RT!

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! When integrating, we arrive at the final formula. Can anyone summarize it?

Student 1
Student 1

p = p1 * e^[-(MgRaTs)(Z2-Z1)]! Right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This tells us how pressure changes with elevation for an ideal gas at constant temperature.

Measurement Devices in Fluid Mechanics

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's discuss different methods of measuring pressure. What kind of devices can we use?

Student 4
Student 4

We have barometers and manometers!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Can someone tell me how a manometer works?

Student 2
Student 2

It measures pressure difference between two points or with respect to atmospheric pressure.

Teacher
Teacher

Good! Let's consider a real-world application: how high would water rise in a manometer with 500 kPa pressure?

Student 3
Student 3

Using the equation, we can calculate that the height will be about 51 meters!

Teacher
Teacher

Very impressive! This example highlights the utility of pressure measurement in practical scenarios.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section explores how to calculate local atmospheric pressure using barometers, presents the concepts of isothermal processes in gases, and outlines various pressure measurement devices.

Standard

In this section, we discuss the calculation of local atmospheric pressure using barometric principles and present the piezometric head concept. We also explore atmospheric pressure variations in compressible fluids during isothermal processes and introduce practical examples of pressure measurement devices, including barometers and manometers.

Detailed

Overview

This section discusses the calculation of local atmospheric pressure, focusing on the principles of barometers, the piezometric head, and atmospheric pressure variations in compressible fluids.

Key Concepts

  • Barometers: Instruments used to measure atmospheric pressure, which relies on the height of a fluid column (like mercury) in a tube, known as R. The barometric pressure can be calculated as P = S * R, where S is the fluid density.
  • Piezometric head: Indicates that the pressure across two points in a fluid remains constant under specific conditions.
  • Pressure Variations in Compressible Fluids: Two types of processes are considered: isothermal (constant temperature) and adiabatic (temperature varies).

Examples of Pressure Calculations

  • Calculating pressure using a barometer and the equation P = S * R results in approximately 100,000 Pascal for R = 750 mm of Hg.
  • Pressure variations for a perfect gas during isothermal processes, analyzed through the formula p = p1 * e^(-[MgRaTs/(Rg)(Z2-Z1)]).

Measurement Devices

  • Manometers: These measure relative pressure to the atmosphere or the pressure difference between two points. Their function is demonstrated through examples in a water distribution system.

This section serves as a foundational understanding of pressure measurement techniques, essential for advanced fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

Audio Book

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Understanding Barometers and Local Atmospheric Pressure

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So, this is the barometer. This is the principle of working of barometers. Now, a simple question is, what is the local atmospheric pressure when R is 750 millimeters of Hg. This is R we are just going to see we have given the =13.6 then we have assumed incompressible fluid constant, we are going to see how it works.

Detailed Explanation

A barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure. To find the local atmospheric pressure, we can use the height of a mercury column (R), which is commonly measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). In this context, when R is specified as 750 mmHg, it means that this height of mercury column is used to calculate atmospheric pressure. The barometer relies on the fact that atmospheric pressure can support a certain height of mercury, with 13.6 being the density of mercury compared to water.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a tall glass filled with water. When you stick a straw in it and cover one end with your thumb, the water stays in the straw due to the air pressure pushing down on the surface of the water in the glass. Similarly, the barometer works by balancing the weight of the mercury in the tube with the atmospheric pressure pushing down on the surface of the mercury in the reservoir.

Calculating Pressure from Piezometric Head

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So, we have seen this equation piezometric head is constant. So, we can also write let me erase this one. P1 is . We are putting this piezometric head equation between point 1 and point 2 and we want to calculate the pressure at p1. p 2 atmospheric pressure so, atmospheric pressure we assume gauge pressure that can be assumed 0. So, pressure at point one will be we have seen was R if you just go back here this P 2 - p 1 z2 - z 1 this is point 2. So, this = R. So, going to, can be written as a S * .. So, pressure will be P= S * R, on calculation it is going to give almost hundred 100,000 Pascal.

Detailed Explanation

In a fluid system, the piezometric head is a measure of the fluid pressure at different points. By applying the principle of hydrostatics between two points (point 1 and point 2), we can derive pressures at these points. The equation can be set up as P2 - P1 = ρg(z2 - z1), where P is the pressure, ρ is the fluid density, g is gravitational acceleration, and z is the elevation. When we rearrange for P1 (the pressure at point 1), we can make calculations knowing that R is equivalent to the mercury height. This ultimately allows us to find that the pressure could be approximately 100,000 Pascal, indicative of standard atmospheric pressure.

Examples & Analogies

Think of water flowing through a pipe with varying heights. The fluid pressure is greater at lower points in the pipe due to the weight of the water above. When using a barometer, we are essentially measuring how much pressure the atmosphere exerts on the mercury, which is equivalent to the weight of the mercury column in the barometer tube.

Understanding P-V Relationship of Gases

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Now, we must also be a little aware about the pressure variations in a compressible fluid. So, there are 2 processes, one is perfect gas at constant temperature isothermal that we have been seeing till now. Secondly perfect gas with constant temperature gradient.

Detailed Explanation

In fluid mechanics, we need to consider how gases behave differently than liquids. Gases are compressible, meaning their density and pressure can change significantly with temperature. In this context, we discuss two scenarios: one where the gas behaves ideally at a constant temperature (isothermal process) and another where the gas encounters a gradual change in temperature. Both scenarios have different equations governing their behavior, based on the relationships between pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T). Understanding these variations is crucial for applications involving gas behaviors.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a balloon filled with air. If you keep it at a constant temperature while squeezing it, you can feel the increase in pressure inside the balloon. This scenario exemplifies an isothermal process. In contrast, if you heat the balloon, the air inside expands, leading to a change in pressure and volume, demonstrating how temperatures affect gas behavior.

Applying the Ideal Gas Law

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Now, we are going to do perfect gas at constant temperature that is isothermal process, we start with the same old equation. And where gamma is where the is a function of P. So, because in gas it is PV = nRT that is the thumb rule for isothermal.

Detailed Explanation

The Ideal Gas Law, represented by the equation PV = nRT, establishes a relationship between the pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T) of a gas, where n is the number of moles and R is the universal gas constant. In an isothermal process, temperature remains constant, which means that as the volume of the gas increases, its pressure decreases, or vice versa. This relationship is crucial for solving problems related to gas behavior under varying conditions.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how an inflatable pool toy behaves when you adjust its volume. If you squeeze the sides, its volume decreases, which increases the pressure inside it. Conversely, if you relieve the pressure by letting air out, the volume increases, and the internal pressure drops. This showcases the relationship described by the Ideal Gas Law in real-life terms.

Integration for Pressure Variation

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So, dp will be, so this is . Correct? Because we already seen here, we just multiplied the density with G here. So, now, we start simply integrating from P1 to P2, and z1 to z2 simple integration, and if you integrate this, we are going to get because it is dp / p. So, that becomes ln (p2/p1) and dz is a simple integration yielding (Z 2 - Z 1).

Detailed Explanation

To find the pressure variation with height (z), we begin with the small change in pressure (dp) as the gas expands. By dividing this change by the current pressure (p), we integrate to uncover the relationship between pressures at two different heights. The integration results in a logarithmic relationship, expressed as ln(P2/P1), demonstrating how pressure changes with height in an isothermal process. This mathematical approach is crucial for deriving the pressure at a given height.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine measuring the height of a mountain: the higher you go, the less air pressure is felt. As you scale up, you can track these low-pressure zones using logarithmic scales, much like how we calculated the pressure difference between two elevations in a gas column.

Pressure Measurement Devices in Context

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Pressure measurement devices, we have discussed one already barometers, there are manometers a standard manometer or a differential manometer and the pressure transducers.

Detailed Explanation

In fluid mechanics, there are several devices used to measure pressure. Barometers are specifically for measuring atmospheric pressure, while manometers can measure pressure relative to the atmosphere or between two points (differential). Pressure transducers convert pressure readings into measurable electrical signals for more precise readings in experimental setups. Understanding these tools helps in accurately measuring pressure in various systems, which is essential in fields like engineering and meteorology.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a barometer as your everyday weather app: it tells you the atmospheric pressure outside, helping you prepare for your day. A manometer can be compared to a local weather station that can measure pressure fluctuations within a specific area—vital for predicting how weather behaves in your surroundings.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Barometers: Instruments used to measure atmospheric pressure, which relies on the height of a fluid column (like mercury) in a tube, known as R. The barometric pressure can be calculated as P = S * R, where S is the fluid density.

  • Piezometric head: Indicates that the pressure across two points in a fluid remains constant under specific conditions.

  • Pressure Variations in Compressible Fluids: Two types of processes are considered: isothermal (constant temperature) and adiabatic (temperature varies).

  • Examples of Pressure Calculations

  • Calculating pressure using a barometer and the equation P = S * R results in approximately 100,000 Pascal for R = 750 mm of Hg.

  • Pressure variations for a perfect gas during isothermal processes, analyzed through the formula p = p1 * e^(-[MgRaTs/(Rg)(Z2-Z1)]).

  • Measurement Devices

  • Manometers: These measure relative pressure to the atmosphere or the pressure difference between two points. Their function is demonstrated through examples in a water distribution system.

  • This section serves as a foundational understanding of pressure measurement techniques, essential for advanced fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Calculating pressure using a barometer and the equation P = S * R results in approximately 100,000 Pascal for R = 750 mm of Hg.

  • Pressure variations for a perfect gas during isothermal processes, analyzed through the formula p = p1 * e^(-[MgRaTs/(Rg)(Z2-Z1)]).

  • Measurement Devices

  • Manometers: These measure relative pressure to the atmosphere or the pressure difference between two points. Their function is demonstrated through examples in a water distribution system.

  • This section serves as a foundational understanding of pressure measurement techniques, essential for advanced fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When pressure you wish to find, use a barometer that's well-designed.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a brave explorer named Bob who carries a barometer. Every time he reaches a mountain, he checks the height of the mercury to understand the pressure changes as he climbs higher.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember: BP - Barometer Pressure measures!

🎯 Super Acronyms

Remember 'HAP' - Height And Pressure relate in fluids.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Barometer

    Definition:

    An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

  • Term: Piezometric Head

    Definition:

    A measure of pressure in fluid statics reflecting the height of the fluid column.

  • Term: Isothermal Process

    Definition:

    A thermodynamic process where the temperature remains constant.

  • Term: Gauge Pressure

    Definition:

    Pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure, set at zero.

  • Term: Manometer

    Definition:

    A device used for measuring pressure differences, typically consisting of a U-shaped tube.

  • Term: Fluid Density (S)

    Definition:

    The mass per unit volume of the fluid.