Physics – 1.8 Pressure | e-Consult

The pressure experienced by the diver at 10 metres in seawater is greater than atmospheric pressure at sea level because the diver is subjected to the weight of the seawater above them.

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the air in the atmosphere. As the diver descends, they are surrounded by an increasing volume of seawater. This seawater has a mass, and the weight of this mass exerts a pressure on the diver.

The pressure exerted by a fluid is directly proportional to its density and the depth. Seawater is denser than air, meaning it has more mass per unit volume. Therefore, the weight of the seawater above the diver is greater than the weight of the air above sea level. This greater weight results in a higher pressure experienced by the diver.

In essence, the pressure at a given depth is the sum of the atmospheric pressure and the pressure due to the weight of the fluid above. Since the diver is at a significant depth, the pressure due to the seawater is substantial and exceeds atmospheric pressure.