Physics: Hydrostatic Pressure and its Applications

Vocabulary-based flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of pressure, hydrostatic properties, atmospheric measurement, and Archimedes’ principle based on the lecture notes.

Pressure

The force acting on a unit area, often calculated using the formula $P = \frac{F}{A}$, where $F$ is the perpendicular force and $A$ is the area.

Pascal ($Pa$)

The unit of pressure named after the French scientist Blaise Pascal, where $1\,N\,m^{-2} = 1\,Pa$.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by liquids, which acts in every direction and increases with the depth of the liquid.

Liquid Pressure Formula

The pressure $P$ at a point situated at a depth $h$ in a liquid of density $\rho$ is given by $P = h\rho g$, where $g$ is gravitational acceleration.

Hydraulic Press

A machine constructed to operate based on the principle that pressure exerted at one point in a liquid can be transmitted to another point because liquids do not get compressed.

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure that exists at any point in the atmosphere due to the weight of the air column above that point.

Mercury Barometer

An instrument designed by Torricelli to measure atmospheric pressure using the height of a mercury column, which is approximately $76\,cm$ at sea level.

Aneroid Barometer

A type of barometer that does not contain a liquid and utilizes a cavity bounded by thin metallic walls that change shape when outside pressure varies.

Siphon Method

A technique for drawing water from a higher-level tank to a lower-level tank where the higher pressure in the upper tank pushes water through a tube.

Upthrust

The upward force exerted by a liquid or gas on an object that is partially or fully immersed in it.

Archimedes’ Principle

States that when an object is partially or fully submerged in a liquid, the upward thrust acting on it is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the object.

Floating Condition

The weight of an object floating on a liquid is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by it ($\text{Weight of object} = \text{Upthrust}$).

Hydrometers

Glass instruments made in accordance with Archimedes' principle used to measure the density of liquids and solutions.

Master and Slave Cylinders

Components of a vehicle brake system where pressure exerted on oil in a small master cylinder is transmitted to a larger slave cylinder to apply brake-pads.