A pressure gauge reading of 50 psi can indicate a column of water is approximately how many feet high?

To convert a pressure gauge reading of 50 psi into a height of water column, you can use the relationship between pressure, density, and height given by the hydrostatic pressure formula:

[ P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h ]

Where:

• ( P ) is the pressure (in psi),

• ( \rho ) is the density of water (approximately 62.4 pounds per cubic foot at 4°C),

• ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity (32.2 feet per second squared),

• ( h ) is the height of the column (in feet).

First, convert psi to pounds per square foot:

[ 50 \text{ psi} = 50 \times 144 \text{ (to convert square inches to square feet)} = 7200 \text{ pounds per square foot} ]

Next, to find the height, rearrange the equation to solve for ( h ):

[ h = \frac{P}{\rho \cdot g} ]

Substituting the values:

[ h = \frac{7200}{62.4 \times 32.2} ]

Calculating the denominator:

[ 62.