PRESSURE

M A D E B Y A P U RVA S A R K A R
 Pressure is the force per unit area so is
calculated using the expression shown
below:
Force
Pressure =
Area
Note: Force is acting perpendicularly to the surface
Pressure is measured in:
Newtons per metre squared (N/m2) which is called
a PASCAL (Pa)
𝟏 𝑷𝒂 = 𝟏𝑵/𝒎𝟐
Sometimes you may need to use 𝑵/𝒄𝒎𝟐

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PRESSURE IS EXERTED WHENEVER
FORCE IS APPLIED.
In which case is the pressure
more?
Justify your answer.

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 The same force spread over a big area means low pressure.
Which shoes would you choose for walking over a muddy field?

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HAMMER AND NAIL

A hammer is used to drive a nail into a wooden floor. The

hammer is brought down with a force of 200 N. The area of the
top of the nail is 0.5 cm2. What pressure (in Pa and kPa) is put
upon the top of the nail by the hammer blow?

Hint: convert all quantities to

SI unit

Ans: Pressure = 4 x 106 Pa =

4 x 103 kPa

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Application of Pressure (Reducing Pressure)

A force spread over a large area means low pressure,

e.g. skis and snowboards.

The large surface area of

the board means the boy
exerts very little pressure
on the snow. He
therefore slides over the
top and does not sink in.

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 Application of Pressure (Increasing Pressure)
A force concentrated on a small area means high
pressure, e.g. razor blades, needles, high heeled shoes,
spurs, ice skates, sharp knives.

The high pressure on the cutting

edge of an ice-skate melts the ice
and helps the skater slide across
the surface.

On the cutting edge of a knife a very

high pressure is exerted - this makes
it easier to cut.
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KEY WORDS IN EXPLANATIONS

• Surface area: more or less?

• Same force/weight
• Hence, less/more pressure
• Connecting statement to the given situation

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PRESSURE IN
LIQUIDS
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• A liquid is held in a container by its weight
• This causes pressure on the container and on any
object any object in the liquid

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CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUID
PRESSURE
Pressure acts equally in all directions

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CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUID
PRESSURE
Pressure increases with depth: greater the depth, more is the weight
of the water column above it and hence higher is the pressure

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CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUID
PRESSURE
Pressure depends on the density of the liquid: more the density
of the liquid, greater the pressure

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PRESSURE IN
GASES
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PRESSURE AND VOLUME
Less volume means more
collisions between gas
particles and with the walls
of the container.

More number of collisions,

hence more pressure

𝟏
𝑷∝
𝑽

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PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE
More temperature,
molecules have more
energy, they move faster.
They collide with more
force on the walls. Since the
volume of the container
cannot change, the force
greater force on the walls
give rise to greater
pressure

𝑷∝𝑻

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VOLUME & TEMPERATURE
More temperature,
molecules have more
energy, they move faster.
They collide with more
force on the walls, hence
pushing the piston up and
increases the volume

𝑽∝𝐓
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WHAT IS ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE?

• Atmospheric pressure is defined as the force per unit area exerted against a
surface by the weight of the air above that surface

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHJsA7bYGc
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ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND
HEIGHT FROM SEA-LEVEL
• Higher up we go from the sea-level, less is the atmospheric pressure

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