Certified Safety Professional Practice Exam

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity. The correct formula to calculate hydrostatic pressure is given by the equation P = mgh, where P represents pressure, m is the mass of the fluid, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the fluid column above the point of measurement.

This formula demonstrates that hydrostatic pressure increases with both the height of the fluid column and the gravitational force acting on the fluid. It is particularly important in fields such as fluid mechanics and engineering, where understanding how pressure varies with depth in fluids is crucial for designing structures that interact with liquids, such as dams, tanks, and pipes.

The other options do not correctly represent the calculation of hydrostatic pressure: P = F/a defines pressure in general terms as force per unit area, P = MV relates to momentum (mass times velocity), and P = W/F is a measure of work over force, which does not apply to the specific context of hydrostatic pressure. Therefore, the formula P = mgh accurately describes how hydrostatic pressure is derived from the characteristics of the fluid and its height, making it the correct choice.