Total Pressure

In physics, the term total pressure may indicate two different quantities, both having the dimensions of a pressure:

  • In fluid dynamics, total pressure refers to the sum of static pressure p, dynamic pressure q, and gravitational head, as expressed by Bernoulli's principle:
where ρ is the density of the fluid, g is the local acceleration due to gravity, and z is the height above a datum.
If the variation in height above the datum is zero, or so small it can be ignored, the above equation reduces to the following simplified form:
  • In a mixture of ideal gases, total pressure refers to the sum of each gas' partial pressure.

Famous quotes containing the words total and/or pressure:

    I have often thought that if photography were difficult in the true sense of the term—meaning that the creation of a simple photograph would entail as much time and effort as the production of a good watercolor or etching—there would be a vast improvement in total output. The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.
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