Water Head Pressure Formula:
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Definition: This calculator converts the height of a water column (head) into pressure measured in pounds per square inch (psi).
Purpose: It helps engineers, plumbers, and technicians determine the static water pressure at the base of a column of water.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: Each vertical foot of water creates approximately 0.433 psi of pressure at its base.
Details: Understanding water head pressure is crucial for designing water systems, determining pump requirements, and ensuring proper system operation.
Tips: Simply enter the height of the water column in feet. The calculator will automatically compute the pressure in psi.
Q1: Why is the conversion factor 0.433?
A: This comes from the weight of water (62.4 lb/ft³) divided by 144 (in²/ft²), resulting in 0.433 psi per foot of head.
Q2: Does this work for other liquids?
A: No, this is specific to water. For other liquids, multiply by their specific gravity relative to water.
Q3: Is this static or dynamic pressure?
A: This calculates static pressure only. Dynamic pressure would include flow velocity effects.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for pure water at standard conditions (4°C). Temperature and impurities may cause slight variations.
Q5: What's the pressure at 100 feet of head?
A: Approximately 43.3 psi (100 × 0.433).