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Water Depth to PSI Formula:
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The water depth to PSI conversion calculates the pressure exerted by a column of water at a specific depth. This is based on the principle that pressure increases linearly with depth due to the weight of the water above.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: The constant 0.433 represents the pressure in PSI exerted by one foot of water column, derived from the density of water and gravitational acceleration.
Details: This calculation is essential in various fields including scuba diving, engineering, plumbing, and hydrology. It helps determine the pressure at different water depths, which is critical for designing underwater structures, calculating pump requirements, and ensuring safety in water-related activities.
Tips: Enter the depth in feet. The value must be a positive number. The calculator will instantly compute the corresponding pressure in PSI.
Q1: Why is the conversion factor 0.433?
A: This factor comes from the density of water (62.4 lb/ft³) divided by 144 (to convert from lb/ft² to PSI): 62.4/144 ≈ 0.433.
Q2: Does this calculation work for saltwater?
A: This formula is for freshwater. For saltwater (density about 64 lb/ft³), use a conversion factor of approximately 0.445.
Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's quite accurate for most practical purposes, though extreme depths or temperatures might require more precise calculations accounting for water density variations.
Q4: Can this be used for other liquids?
A: No, this specific conversion factor is only valid for water. Other liquids would require different factors based on their specific density.
Q5: What's the pressure at 100 feet of water?
A: At 100 feet, the pressure would be approximately 43.3 PSI (100 × 0.433).