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Pressure
Pressure is defined as the force acting normally per unit area. (Here, the word "normally" means
perpendicularly.)
Example
As shown in the diagram above, a 20N force acts on a 4cm surface. The force is shared equally
by the surface, hence each 1 cm of the surface withstand a force of 5N (20N/4).
The force (5N) acts on 1 unit area (1cm) is said to be the pressure acting on the surface.
Therefore, the pressure acting on the surface is 5N/cm.
Mathematically,
Pressure=ForceArea
P=FA
=20N4cm2
=5N/cm
Unit of Pressure
The SI unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa). 1 Pa is equal to1 newton per metre2 (N/m).
1 N/m = 1 Pa
Factors Affecting the Magnitude of Pressure
Sharp Knife
Ice-Skate
Foundation of Building
Snow Shoes
Ski Board
Tyre of Tractor
Feet of Elephant
Strip of Handbag
Seat Belt