Session 5

Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure
The envelope of air surrounding the earth is
called atmosphere.
The pressure exerted on an object by the
atmospheric air above it is called atmospheric
pressure.
Atmospheric pressure is exerted because of
the weight of air in the atmosphere.
Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure acts in all directions.
Atmospheric pressure is maximum at
the sea level as the column of air above
us is tallest at the sea level.
The atmospheric pressure at the sea
level is about 100 kilo Pascal.
Atmospheric pressure is measured
using an instrument called barometer.
Variation of atmospheric pressure with altitude

The atmospheric pressure decreases with

altitude because as we go up, the weight air
above us goes on decreasing.

So, atmospheric pressure on top of a mountain will be

much less than at the base.

Mountaineers wear special protective suits in order to

counter the effect of pressure change at high altitudes.
Activity to show atmospheric pressure
Fill a glass tumbler with water to the brim. Cover the tumbler
with a cardboard piece. Place the palm of your hand over the
piece of cardboard and quickly invert the tumbler. Then slowly
remove your hand from the cardboard. You will observe that the
cardboard piece will not fall.
 Collapsing can experiment
A small amount of water is heated in a soda can until steaming.
The can is then quickly put in cold water, mouth side down. The
sudden change in temperature causes a sudden change in
pressure, making atmospheric pressure higher than the pressure
inside the can. Thus, the can collapses under the pressure the
pressure of the atmosphere.
Why don’t we feel the atmospheric pressure?
If the area of your head were 15cm x 15cm,the weight of the air
column of the height of the atmosphere acting on your head
would nearly be equal to the weight of an object of mass 225kg
(equivalent to the weight of about two baby elephants).

We are not crushed under this weight because the

pressure inside our bodies is also equal to the
atmospheric pressure and cancels the pressure
from outside.
Application of atmospheric pressure

❖ Drinking straw-When a man sucks up the fluid from straw the pressure
inside is moderately low while the atmospheric pressure outside is high.
This powers up the fluid into straw.

❖ Rubber sucker -When a rubber sucker is put onto a smooth surface like
glass or wall the air in the rubber sucker is forced out and causes low
pressure. The external atmospheric pressure, which is much higher,
acts on the rubber sucker, pressing it securely against the wall.
Application of atmospheric pressure

❑ Siphon – A rubber tube can be used to siphon liquid from a

container at a higher level to another at a lower level. For
example we can remove petrol from the petrol tank of a
vehicle or dirty water from an aquarium.

❑ Syringe-When the nozzle of a syringe is dipped in a liquid

and its piston is withdrawn, the pressure inside the syringe is
lower. The greater atmospheric pressure acting on the surface
of the liquid pushes the liquid up into the syringe.
 Review
► The pressure exerted on an object by the atmospheric air
above it is called atmospheric pressure.
► Atmospheric pressure is exerted because of the weight of air
in the atmosphere.
► Atmospheric pressure is maximum at the sea level.
► The atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude
► Application of atmospheric pressure.
 Evaluation

1.The envelope of air surrounding the earth is called

_________.
2. Atmospheric pressure is exerted because of the
__________ of the air.
3.A __________ is used to measure atmospheric pressure.
4. Atmospheric pressure is __________ at the sea level.
5. Atmospheric pressure _________ with altitude.
Answers/Home work
1. atmosphere
2. weight
3.barometer
4.highest
5. Decreases

a) Why do mountaineers suffer from nose bleeding at high altitudes?

b) Explain the role of air pressure in a syringe for taking blood during
blood tests?
c) Why do your ears hurt when you travel in a plane?