Pressure
Pressure is a force per unit of area.
A diver feels multiple types of pressures while underwater.
Atmosperic Pressure is produced by the weight of the gases in the atmosphere. Itialian scientist Evangelista Toricelli determined the value of normal atmospheric pressure through experimentation using mercury. The atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 14.7psia (pressure per square inch area).
Hydrostatic Pressure is produced by the weight of the fluid which acts upon the diver in all directions. In the divers case, the fluid is either seawater or freshwater. As the diver decends to deeper depths the hydrostatic pressure increases at a rate of .445psi/foot in seawater; this value differs in freshwater.
The Absolute Pressure that the diver is under is the sum of the hydrostatic pressure and the atmospheric pressure.
The reason for why the body doesn't cave or collapse under such large pressures is because our body is pushing back with a counter-acting force. When we inhale, the pressure of the inhaled air is what allows us to counteract the external pressures.
(pressure comic)
A little diving comedy, cause remember... Diving is supposed to be FUN!
Pressure is a force per unit of area.
A diver feels multiple types of pressures while underwater.
Atmosperic Pressure is produced by the weight of the gases in the atmosphere. Itialian scientist Evangelista Toricelli determined the value of normal atmospheric pressure through experimentation using mercury. The atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 14.7psia (pressure per square inch area).
Hydrostatic Pressure is produced by the weight of the fluid which acts upon the diver in all directions. In the divers case, the fluid is either seawater or freshwater. As the diver decends to deeper depths the hydrostatic pressure increases at a rate of .445psi/foot in seawater; this value differs in freshwater.
The Absolute Pressure that the diver is under is the sum of the hydrostatic pressure and the atmospheric pressure.
The reason for why the body doesn't cave or collapse under such large pressures is because our body is pushing back with a counter-acting force. When we inhale, the pressure of the inhaled air is what allows us to counteract the external pressures.
(pressure comic)A little diving comedy, cause remember... Diving is supposed to be FUN!