Apply the hydrostatic formula from A to B:
Problem 2.43
The traditional method of measuring blood pressure uses a sphygmomanometer, first recording
the highest (systolic) and then the lowest (diastolic) pressure from which flowing “Korotkoff”
sounds can be heard. Patients with dangerous hypertension can exhibit systolic pressures as high
as 5 lbf/in2. Normal levels, however, are 2.7 and 1.7 lbf/in2, respectively, for systolic and diastolic
pressures. The manometer uses mercury and air as fluids.
(a) How high in cm should the manometer tube be?
(b) Express normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure in millimeters of mercury.
Solution 2.43
(a) The manometer height must be at least large enough to accommodate the largest systolic
pressure expected. Thus apply the hydrostatic relation using 5 lbf/in2 as the pressure,
Problem 2.44
Water flows downward in a pipe at 45°, as shown in Fig. P2.44. The pressure drop p1 − p2 is
partly due to gravity and partly due to friction. The mercury manometer reads a 6-in height
difference. What is the total pressure drop p1 − p2 in lbf/in2 ? What is the pressure drop due to
friction only between 1 and 2 in lbf/in2 ? Does the manometer reading correspond only to friction
drop? Why?