How many feet can one pound per square inch of pressure raise water?

The correct answer, which indicates that one pound per square inch (psi) of pressure can raise water to a height of approximately 2.31 feet, is based on a key principle in fluid mechanics. This relationship comes from the concept of hydrostatic pressure, which states that the pressure exerted by a column of liquid is directly proportional to its height and density.

In this context, water has a specific weight of approximately 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. The calculation can be derived from the formula for hydrostatic pressure, where pressure (in psi) equates to the weight of a column of liquid above a given point:

Pressure (psi) = Height (ft) × Density (lb/ft³) / 144

For water,

1 psi = Height (ft) × 62.4 lb/ft³ / 144

Solving for height when pressure is 1 psi gives a height of approximately 2.31 feet. This value is crucial in various applications related to water treatment and distribution systems, where understanding the relationship between pressure and water elevation can influence design and operational decisions.

This concept illustrates how pressure in a water system influences how far water can be moved vertically, which is essential knowledge for anyone working in the