Question icon
Grade 10General Physics

what is the role of atmospheric pressure in drawing of underground water by a hand pump??

Profile image of indrayani bargaje
15 Years agoGrade 10
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of SAGAR SINGH - IIT DELHI
15 Years ago

Dear student,

Because suction is involved, atmospheric pressure is what's really doing the work. Think of the system as a long straw. As you suck on the straw, you create a vacuum in the straw above the water. Once the vacuum is there, the weight of the air, or atmospheric pressure, pushes the water up the straw.