What depth in seawater corresponds to one atmosphere of pressure?

What depth in seawater corresponds to one atmosphere of pressure?

• A. 8 m (26 ft)
• B. 10 m (33 ft)
• C. 12 m (39 ft)
• D. 15 m (49 ft)

Answer: (B)

Pressure in water grows with depth because the weight of the overlying water adds to the atmospheric pressure at the surface. In seawater, a good rule of thumb is that the water pressure increases by about 1 atmosphere for every 10 meters of depth. So at 10 meters depth, the water itself contributes roughly 1 atmosphere of pressure, making the total ambient pressure about 2 atmospheres (1 atm from air plus 1 atm from water). That’s why the depth corresponding to one atmosphere of pressure from the water column is about 10 meters (33 feet).

Pressure in water grows with depth because the weight of the overlying water adds to the atmospheric pressure at the surface. In seawater, a good rule of thumb is that the water pressure increases by about 1 atmosphere for every 10 meters of depth. So at 10 meters depth, the water itself contributes roughly 1 atmosphere of pressure, making the total ambient pressure about 2 atmospheres (1 atm from air plus 1 atm from water). That’s why the depth corresponding to one atmosphere of pressure from the water column is about 10 meters (33 feet).