Science, Tech, Math › Science Converting Atmospheres to Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) Worked Pressure Unit Conversion Problem Share Flipboard Email Print palo/CC BY-NC 2.0/Flickr Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated May 07, 2019 This example problem demonstrates how to convert the pressure unit atmospheres to pounds per square inch (psi). Problem:The pressure under the ocean increases roughly 0.1 atm per meter. At 1 km, the water pressure is 99.136 atmospheres. What is this pressure in pounds per square inch? Solution:1 atm = 14.696 psi Set up the conversion so the desired unit will be canceled out. In this case, we want psi to be the remaining unit. pressure in psi = (pressure in atm) x (14.696 psi/1 atm)pressure in psi = (99.136 x 14.696) psipressure in psi = 1456.9 psi Answer:The pressure at a depth of 1 km is 1456.9 psi.