hydrostatic head
{{Short description|Hydropower terminology}}
When generating hydropower, the head is the distance that a given water source has to fall before the point where power is generated. Ultimately the force responsible for hydropower is gravity, so a hydroelectricity plantAlternatively, again for a given water flow, a larger head could produce the same power with smaller equipment. with a tall/high head can produce more power than a similar plant with a short/low head. In short, for a given water flow, a larger head will be converted into greater kinetic energy. That energy is then harnessed by a water wheel or water turbine to create usable hydropower.
Fabrics
Hydrostatic head is also used as a measure of the waterproofing of a fabric, commonly in clothing and equipment used for outdoor recreation. It is measured as a length (typically millimetres), representing the maximum height of a vertical column of water that could be placed on top of the fabric before water started seeping through the weave. Thus a fabric with a hydrostatic head rating of {{val|5000}} mm could hold back a column of water five metres high, but no more. {{Cite web|url=https://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-tents/hydrostatic-head/|title=What is Hydrostatic Head? We explain}}
Notes
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See also
- Hydraulic head for a more technical description of the physical principle of hydraulics
- Tent and waterproofing, as hydrostatic head is used as a measurement of waterproofness
References
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071225164200/http://www.usbr.gov/library/glossary/#H U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Glossary] (See “Head”)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070415173306/http://www.mms.gov/glossary/h.htm U.S. Minerals Management Service: Glossary] (See “Hydraulic head”]
- [http://www.fesaus.org/glossary/doku.php?id=terms:hydraulic_head Society of Petrophysicists & Well Log Analysts: Glossary] (See “Hydraulic head”)