How many feet of water does 1 psi equal?

One psi (pound per square inch) is equivalent to approximately 2.31 feet of water. This relationship arises from the way pressure is defined in terms of height of a fluid column, specifically water in this case.

To understand this, consider that pressure is the result of a weight force acting over a certain area. The weight of water can be calculated, and knowing that the density of water is about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot helps establish the conversion factor. When one psi is applied, it corresponds to how high a column of water can reach, which is found to be about 2.31 feet.

This measurement is particularly useful in hydraulics and fluid mechanics, where understanding pressure in terms of the height of water is key to various applications, including calculations for pumps and pressure systems. Therefore, recognizing this conversion is essential for anyone working in fields involving fluid dynamics.