KK STUDYCENTRE TUTORIALS

Pressure
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period, you would be able to know

Define the term Pressure.

Atmospheric pressure.
Gauge pressure.
Define the term volume.
Define the specific volume.
 Recap

What is a property?

Classify thermodynamic properties with examples

 Pressure

Pressure of a gas is the force exerted by it per unit area

on the sides or walls of the container due to the
continuous collision of gas molecule.
or
Simply the force normal to the unit area of surface is
called pressure acting on the surface.
 Units of pressure

The S.I unit of pressure is Pascal.

1 Pascal = 1 N/m2
1KPa =10 3 N/m2
1 MPa =106 N/m2
1 GPa = 109 N/m2
Additional units of pressure are bar and atm
1 bar =105 N/m2 =100 KN/m2 =100Kpa
1 atm = 760 mm Hg = 1.01325 bar
 Atmospheric pressure
The normal force exerted by the atmospheric air on a
unit system area is called atmospheric pressure.
Atmospheric pressure is measured by the mercury
barometer.
The standard atm pressure is taken as 760 mm Hg.
760 mm Hg =1.01325 bar
= 101.325 KN/m2
=101.325Kpa
 Gauge Pressure

The pressure recorded by the instrument - pressure

gauge above the atmospheric is called gauge pressure.

The gauge measures the difference between the fluid

pressure and pressure of fluid surrounding of the gauge
(Generally air).
 Vacuum Pressure (Pvac)

When pressure of the system is less than atmospheric

pressure, the gauge reads on the negative side of the
atmospheric pressure. This Pressure is known as
Vacuum or negative pressure.
 Absolute Pressure (Pabs or P)

Absolute zero pressure will occur when molecules

momentum is zero. Such a situation occurs only when there
is perfect vacuum. The pressure measured from this level is
called absolute pressure.

Absolute pressure is obtained by the following relations.

Absolute pressure = Atm Pressure + Gauge Pressure
Pabs = Patm + Pg
Absolute pressure= Atmospheric pressure Vacuum
Pressure
Pabs = Patm - Pvac
 Volume

Volume is the space occupied by the substance .

Volume per unit mass of a substance is called Specific

Volume.
Units volume (V) m3 or liters
Specific Volume (v) m3/ kg
103 liters = 1 m3
Or 1 Litre = 10 -3 m3
 Density
Density is the reciprocal of the Specific Volume

Density, = 1/v = m/V Kg/m3

where,

m = mass

v = specific volume

V = volume
 Summary

In this period we have learnt about

Pressure
Units of pressure
Gauge pressure
Absolute pressure
Specific volume
Density
 Quiz
1.Which one of the following is the extensive property of
a thermodynamic system

A) volume

B) pressure

C) temperature

D) density
 Quiz
2.Which one of the following is not a property of a
system

A) pressure

B) composition

C) thermal conductivity

D) heat
 Quiz
3.Which one of the following is the intensive property of
a thermodynamic system?

A) volume

B) potential energy

C) temperature

D) entropy
 Frequently Asked Questions

Define the terms pressure and volume

Define vacuum pressure

Define specific volume