Problem 3.

49 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: Geometry of chamber system

Find: Pressure at various locations

Assumptions: (1) Water and Meriam Blue are static and incompressible
(2) Pressure gradients across air cavities are negligible

Solution:
dp
Basic equation = − ρ⋅ g or, for constant ρ Δp = ρ⋅ g⋅ Δh where Δh is height difference
dy

For point A pA = patm + ρH2O⋅ g⋅ h1 or in gage pressure pA = ρH2O⋅ g⋅ h1

Here we have h1 = 8⋅ in h1 = 0.667⋅ ft

2 2
lbf⋅ s
× ⎛⎜
slug ft ft ⎞
pA = 1.94⋅ × 32.2⋅ × 0.667⋅ ft × ⎟ pA = 0.289⋅ psi (gage)
3 2 ⋅
slugft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠
ft s
For the first air cavity pair1 = pA − SGMB⋅ ρH2O⋅ g⋅ h2 where h2 = 4⋅ in h2 = 0.333⋅ ft

From Table A.1 SGMB = 1.75

2 2
lbf ⋅ s
× ⎛⎜
lbf slug ft ft ⎞
pair1 = 0.289⋅ − 1.75 × 1.94⋅ × 32.2⋅ × 0.333⋅ ft × ⎟ pair1 = 0.036⋅ psi (gage)
2 3 2 slug⋅ ft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠
in ft s
Note that p = constant throughout the air pocket

For point B pB = pair1 + SGHg⋅ ρH2O⋅ g⋅ h3 where h3 = 6⋅ in h3 = 0.5⋅ ft

2 2
lbf ⋅ s
× ⎛⎜
lbf slug ft ft ⎞
pB = 0.036⋅ + 1.75 × 1.94⋅ × 32.2⋅ × 0.5⋅ ft × ⎟ pB = 0.416⋅ psi (gage)
in
2
ft
3
s
2 slug⋅ ft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠
For point C pC = pair2 + SGHg⋅ ρH2O⋅ g⋅ h4 where h4 = 10⋅ in h4 = 0.833⋅ ft
2 2
lbf ⋅ s
× ⎛⎜
lbf slug ft ft ⎞
pC = 0.416⋅ + 1.75 × 1.94⋅ × 32.2⋅ × 0.833⋅ ft × ⎟ pC = 1.048⋅ psi (gage)
in
2
ft
3
s
2 slug⋅ ft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠

For the second air cavity pair2 = pC − SGHg⋅ ρH2O⋅ h5 where h5 = 6⋅ in h5 = 0.5⋅ ft
2 2
lbf ⋅ s
× ⎛⎜
lbf slug ft ft ⎞
pair2 = 1.048⋅ − 1.75 × 1.94⋅ × 32.2⋅ × 0.5⋅ ft × ⎟ pair2 = 0.668⋅ psi (gage)
in
2
ft
3
s
2 slug⋅ ft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠