What is the PSI at the bottom of a 2-inch vertical pipe that is 20 feet high and filled with water?

To determine the PSI at the bottom of a 2-inch vertical pipe that is filled with water and is 20 feet high, it's essential to understand the relationship between height, gravity, and pressure in fluids. The pressure exerted by a column of water can be calculated using the formula:

Pressure (PSI) = Height (feet) × 0.433

Here, the height of the water column is 20 feet. Multiplying this height by the conversion factor (0.433), which represents the pressure exerted by each foot of water, provides the total pressure at the bottom of the pipe.

Calculating this gives:

20 feet × 0.433 PSI/foot = 8.66 PSI

This result shows that the pressure at the bottom of the 20-foot vertical pipe filled with water is indeed 8.66 PSI. Understanding these principles is fundamental in plumbing practices, as it defines how pressure behaves in fluid systems, which is crucial for designing and maintaining plumbing infrastructure.