Final answer:
The pressure at a depth of 12,500 feet in the ocean can be calculated using the depth in meters, the density of seawater, and the acceleration due to gravity, converting the final result from pascals to psi.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pressure at an ocean depth of 12,500 feet can be calculated using the formula P = h * ρ * g, where P is the pressure, h is the depth, ρ (rho) is the density of seawater, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The average density of seawater is about 1025 kg/m³ and the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.81 m/s². To find the pressure in pounds per square inch (psi), we convert the depth to meters by dividing 12,500 feet by 3.281 to get 3,810.58 meters. The pressure in pascals is then found by multiplying the depth in meters by the density of seawater and the acceleration due to gravity. This result is then converted to psi by dividing by 6894.76 since one psi equals 6894.76 pascals.
Sea water pressure calculations recognize that pressure increases with depth due to the weight of the overlying water. The resulting pressure at 12,500 feet is significantly higher than at the surface and needs to be carefully considered in the design of submarines and deep-sea exploration equipment.