0.01 inches of water column is equal to how many Pascals?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
0.01 inches of water column (inH₂O) is equal to approximately 2.49 Pascals (Pa).
Detailed Explanation:
To convert inches of water column (inH₂O) to Pascals (Pa), it is essential to understand the relationship between these two pressure units. Here’s how the calculation works:
1. Definition of Inches of Water Column (inH₂O):
InH₂O is a unit of pressure commonly used in HVAC and fluid mechanics. It represents the pressure exerted by a column of water 1 inch tall at 4°C (39.2°F) under standard gravitational conditions.
2. Definition of Pascals (Pa):
The Pascal is the SI unit of pressure, defined as one newton per square meter (N/m²).
3. Conversion Formula:
The conversion between inH₂O and Pa is based on the density of water and gravitational acceleration. The formula is:
[
1 \, \text{inH₂O} = \rho \cdot g \cdot h
]
Where:
- ( \rho ) = Density of water (( 1000 \, \text{kg/m³} ))
- ( g ) = Gravitational acceleration (( 9.80665 \, \text{m/s²} ))
- ( h ) = Height of the water column in meters
4. Conversion of 1 Inch to Meters:
1 inch = 0.0254 meters. Thus:
[
1 \, \text{inH₂O} = 1000 \cdot 9.80665 \cdot 0.0254 = 249.08891 \, \text{Pa}
]
5. Scaling for 0.01 inH₂O:
Now, to calculate the equivalent for 0.01 inH₂O:
[
0.01 \, \text{inH₂O} = 249.08891 \cdot 0.01 = 2.49 \, \text{Pa}
]
Practical Applications:
This conversion is frequently used in engineering fields, especially in ventilation systems and hydrodynamics, where small pressure differences are measured.
By understanding this calculation, professionals can accurately convert and compare pressure units for various applications.