The tutor imagines a water pressure scenario.

Let’s imagine the pressure of a faucet is 40psi (pounds per square inch). For the sake of physics, we might convert that pressure to N/m^2:

(40lb/inch^2)*(9.8N/2.2lb)*(inch/0.0254m)^2=276182N/m^2

The gravitational force on a water column is density*area*height*9.8N/kg, all dimensions in metres:

F_g=1000kg/m^3*A*h*9.8N/kg=9800AhN

Therefore, the force per unit area (ie, pressure) at the bottom of the column would be

9800AhN/A=9800hN/m^2

At the maximum height the faucet can support, its pressure will equal that due to gravity:

276182=9800h

Dividing both sides by 9800, we arrive at

28.18m = h

Therefore, a 40psi faucet should support a 28.18m column of water.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.