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Pitot Tube Problems
If so instructed by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.

Image of Pitot Tube: Click on image for description of equation

DEFINITIONS: Define the following terms.

Force (F) -
 
 
Mass (m) -
 
 
Pressure (p) -
 
 
Velocity (V) -
 
 
Density (r) -
 
 

 

UNIT ANALYSIS:  Complete the table giving the correct unit of measurement in both the English and the Metric systems. You will use this information when solving the problems shown below.
QUANTITY
ENGLISH UNIT
METRIC UNIT
LENGTH
______________
______________
AREA
______________
______________
VOLUME
______________
_______________
FORCE
______________
_______________
MASS
______________
_______________
PRESSURE
______________
_______________
VELOCITY
______________
_______________
DENSITY
______________
_______________

*NOTE: For practical purposes, velocity is measured in KNOTS. One knot = 1.69 feet/second.

 

PROBLEMS: Solve each problem. Make sure all units agree!!

  1. Find the total air pressure detected by the pitot tube for a Cessna 182 airplane flying at a pressure altitude of 10,000 feet (static pressure of 1455.6 lb/ft2 ) and a speed of 120 knots if the air density is 0.00162 slugs/ft3.

     

  2. Find the difference in pressure (pt-ps) for the same conditions described above if the airplane speeds up to 160 knots.

     

  3. If the total air pressure for the same Cessna 182 is measured at 1478.7 lb/ft2, what is the new velocity in knots of the airplane?

 

Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov