Final answer:
The correct statement is B: Absolute pressure equals gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure. Gauge pressure measures pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, and absolute pressure is the total of both readings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement regarding the relationship between absolute pressure, gauge pressure, and atmospheric pressure is: Absolute pressure is the sum of gauge pressure and atmospheric pressure.
Absolute pressure (Pabs) is calculated as gauge pressure (Pg) plus atmospheric pressure (Patm), or Pabs = Pg + Patm. This formula states that atmospheric pressure does factor into the total pressure of a fluid in an open environment due to Pascal's principle. For example, if you measure the pressure in a tire with a gauge and it reads 34 psi, the actual or absolute pressure in the tire is 34 psi plus the atmospheric pressure, which is approximately 14.7 psi, resulting in 48.7 psi.