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Forces in Fluids
Forces in Fluids
Chapter 11
Why don’t you sink into the snow
when you wear snow shoes?
Pressure
Pressure is the force pushing on a
surface.
Because the size of the area over which the
force is distributed has changed.
Pressure =
Force/Area
Pressure is equal
to the force
exerted on a
surface divided by
the total area over
which the force is
exerted.
Units for Pressure
Force is measured in Newton’s (N).
Area is measured in square meters.
SI unit for pressure is N/m2 which is
also called the Pascal (Pa).
1 Pa = 1N/m2
Fluid Pressure
A fluid is a substance that can easily
flow.
Fluids exert pressures on on
surfaces they touch.
Fluids are made of
molecules.
Molecules are
constantly moving.
All of the forces
exerted by the
individual
molecules in a fluid
add together to
make up the
pressure exerted
by the fluid.
Fluid pressure =
Total force exerted
by the fluid divided
by the area over
which the force is
exerted.
Fluid Pressure all around.
Air Pressure or
atmospheric
pressure is the
pressure exerted
on us by the air.
How can we support the
weight of the atmosphere?
Each cubic meter of air has a mass
of 1 kg.
How can we support this and not
feel a thing?
Because in a fluid that is not
moving, pressure at a given point is
exerted equally in all directions.
Balanced Pressures
As the atmosphere
is pushing down on
your hand – there is
also atmospheric
pressure pushing up
on our hand.
Remember the can crush
lab?
Variations in fluid pressure
Air pressure
decreases as
elevation increases.
Remember air
pressure at a certain
point results from the
weight of air above
that point.The higher
you go the less
weight above you.
Why do your ears pop?
As the air pressure outside your
body adjusts the air pressure inside
your body has to adjust too.