How do I calculate the hydrostatic pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure originates from the weight of the liquid. At a certain point in the liquid, the hydrostatic pressure is going to be equal to the weight of the liquid above the examined point.  So in order to calculate it first, we need to calculate the weight of the liquid which creates the pressure. To calculate the weight we need to know the mass of the liquid. This can be found by the following formula:

m= ρ * h

where ρ is the density of the fluid and h is the height of the fluid above the examined point. 

If we multiply this by g we find the weight of the fluid which equals the hydrostatic pressure:

P= ρ hg

To find the absolute pressure at the point we have to add up the atmospheric pressure (pressure above the fluid) and the hydrostatic pressure.

Pabs=P+Patm.

BG
Answered by Barnabas G. Physics tutor

5857 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the quark composition of a proton?


A child is going down a snowy hill on a sledge. Draw a free-body force diagram for the child and sledge.


Suggest which particles will be emitted as K-40 decays to Ca-39:


A ball is kicked from a tower (50m) at a speed of 20m/s. How far away does the ball hit the ground?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning