What is the absolute pressure at sea level if a gauge pressure is 35 psig?

To determine the absolute pressure at sea level when given a gauge pressure, it's essential to understand the difference between gauge pressure and absolute pressure. Gauge pressure measures the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, while absolute pressure measures the total pressure, including atmospheric pressure.

At sea level, the standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 14.7 psi. Therefore, to find the absolute pressure, you add the gauge pressure to atmospheric pressure. In this case, if the gauge pressure is 35 psig, the calculation for absolute pressure (psia) would be:

Absolute Pressure = Gauge Pressure + Atmospheric Pressure

Absolute Pressure = 35 psig + 14.7 psi = 49.7 psia

This calculation shows that when you add the standard atmospheric pressure to the provided gauge pressure, you arrive at the correct absolute pressure of 49.7 psia. Understanding this relationship between gauge and absolute pressure is crucial for accurately interpreting pressure readings in HVAC systems and other applications.