Hydrostatic pressure is something that you probably learned about in physics and assumed you would never have to hear about again. This type of pressure is something that comes into play in our everyday lives, and in ways that we may not fully realize. Understanding hydrostatic pressure and how we use this pressure to our advantage in society will help you to better understand some of the technologies and procedures around you.
Learning about Hydrostatic Pressure
Simply put, hydrostatic pressure is the amount of pressure that fluid has, when at equilibrium, due to the gravitational pull of the earth. This is the force that the water is pushing with, whether it be sitting in the earth or pushed up against a wall. The pressure builds on itself when there is a higher level of fluid in one location, just as the weight of an object builds if you add more and more to that object.
Hydrostatic Pressure and Energy
One of the most visible uses of hydrostatic pressures comes from one of our main sources of renewable energy – dams. The dam works to hold back water that would otherwise be flowing freely through an area. The dam only allows a small amount of water to go through at any given time. The hydrostatic pressure pushes the water through the turbines at a faster rate, providing more power that can be converted into energy. If the turbines were simply placed in the water without a true dam, they would not generate this high level of energy.
Hydrostatic Pressure and Water Tanks
One of the most iconic structures of many of the small towns in the United States is the water tower. For many cities, the water tower is the highest structure in the town, and for good reason. The hydrostatic pressure works to force the water through the system. The higher the tank is and the larger the tank is, the more pressure and force that the water will have. It will drop and push itself through the pipe system. The idea is that when the water is high, the water is pushed at a faster rate because of the hydrostatic pressure. This reduces the need for electric pumps through the system, as the pressure is responsible for moving the water through the pipes.
Hydrostatic pressure is a simple scientific concept that we have come to rely on. We work to control liquid and make that liquid work for us. We get it to create energy for us by holding it back, and we get it to push itself through pipes by holding it as high as possible. The next time that you go by a dam or drive past a water tower, you can understand the science and technology behind the design.