If a scuba diver descends too quickly into the sea, the internal pressure on each eardrum remains at atmospheric pressure, while the external pressure increases due to the increased water depth. At sufficient depths, the difference between the external and internal pressure can rupture an eardrum. Eardrums can rupture when the pressure difference is as little as 35 kPa. What is the depth at which this pressure difference could occur? Convert your answer to units of feet to give you a little bit of perspective. The density of seawater is 1025 kg/m³.
Fluid Pressure
The term fluid pressure is coined as, the measurement of the force per unit area of a given surface of a closed container. It is a branch of physics that helps to study the properties of fluid under various conditions of force.
Gauge Pressure
Pressure is the physical force acting per unit area on a body; the applied force is perpendicular to the surface of the object per unit area. The air around us at sea level exerts a pressure (atmospheric pressure) of about 14.7 psi but this doesn’t seem to bother anyone as the bodily fluids are constantly pushing outwards with the same force but if one swims down into the ocean a few feet below the surface one can notice the difference, there is increased pressure on the eardrum, this is due to an increase in hydrostatic pressure.
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