Pressure: The force acting on a unit area of a surface is called pressure. It acts perpendicular
to the surface on which pressure is exerted.
•  Pressure= force/area on which it acts. Lesser the area, greater is the force.
•  Both liquids and gases exert pressure on the wall of their containers.

•  Atmospheric pressure: The pressure on the atmospheric air is known as atmospheric

pressure. This weight of air column over a unit 1cm2

Conceptual Ques-

Q)Why it is easier to walk on soft sand if we have flat shoes rather than shoes with sharp heels
(or pencil heels)?
Answer:
A flat shoe has a greater area in contact with the soft sand and exerts less pressure on the soft
ground. Due to this the ‘flat’ shoes do not sink much in soft sand and it is easy to walk on it. On
the other hand, a sharp heel has a small area in contact with the soft sand and exerts a greater
pressure on the sand. Due to this, the sharp heels sink deep into soft sand making it difficult for
the wearer to walk on it.

Q)We know that there is a huge amount of atmospheric pressure on us. But we do not
experience its effect why?
Answer:
The pressure of air inside our body is same as that of the atmosphere. Therefore, we do not
experience its effect.

Q) Why is it easier to push a nail in a wooden plank through its pointed end?

Answer: It is easier to push a nail into a wooden door through its pointed end than through its
blunt end, because small area of the pointed end helps in creating more pressure and it
becomes easier to insert the nail.

Q)Why is it easier to push a nail in a wooden plank through its pointed end?

Answer: It is easier to push a nail into a wooden door through its pointed end than through its
blunt end, because small area of the pointed end helps in creating more pressure and it
becomes easier to insert the nail.

Q) What is the difference between contact and non-contact forces?

Answer:

Contact force Non-contact force

This force needs to touch the object in order This force does not need to touch the object in
to exert its effect. order to exert its effect.
Example: muscular force, friction Example: magnetic force, electrostatic force
Q): Two tyres of a tractor are very wide and huge. Why?

Answer: A wide tyre means larger area. We know that pressure reduces when area increases.
The wide tyres reduce the pressure affected by tractor. As a result, it becomes easier to drive a
tractor on a muddy surface or on a freshly ploughed surface.

Q) A camel can easily walk on sand but a man finds it difficult. Why?

Answer: Camel’s feet are wide; making for larger area. Due to this, a camel can easily walk on
sand.

Q): It is easier to cut an apple with sharp end of knife rather than with its blunt end. Why?

Answer: The sharp end of knife has much smaller area compared to its blunt end. Smaller area
provides more pressure for the applied force. Hence, it becomes easier to cut an apple with
sharp end of knife compared to with its blunt end.

Q) Why do Eskimos wear ski-like shoes?

Answer: Eskimos wear ski-like footwear. Wider area of the footwear reduces pressure and thus
prevents the Eskimo’s feet from sinking in ice.

Q) How do liquids and gases exert pressure?

Answer: Liquids and gases exert pressure as follows:

 Pressure at the bottom of container depends on the height of column of gas or liquid.
Due to this, divers have to withstand a large pressure at the bottom of the sea.
 A fluid exerts pressure on walls of the container. Containers for gases and liquids are
usually cylindrical ion shape to equally distribute the pressure on all portions of the wall.
 A fluid exerts equal pressure at same depth.