Stress vs Pressure (Physics)- Difference with examples

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February 4, 2022

The main differentiating point for stress vs pressure is that Pressure is the external
force applied on the unit area of the object while Stress is the internal resistive
force per unit area developed by an object to resist the deformation.

Stress:
Stress is the intensity of the internal resistive force generated by an object to resist the
deformation. It may be generated due to the application of the external force or due to the
uneven heating of the object.

Stress is given by,

`\text{Stress}=\frac{\text{Resistive force}}{\text{Area}}`

The SI unit of the stress is Pascal (or N/m²) while the FPS unit is lb/ft².

Example: The stress generated in a rubber band or rope when it is subjected to the
tensile force at both ends helps to resist the deformation

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 Stress generated in specimen

Pressure:

Pressure on cylinder walls

The pressure is the intensity of the externally applied force onto the object and it is given
by,

`\text{Pressure}=\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}}`

The SI unit of the pressure is Pascal (or N/m²) while the FPS unit is lb/ft².

Pressure is also measured by the use of different gauges used for the pressure
measurement. The pressure is only described by the magnitude and therefore the
pressure is considered as a scalar quantity.

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Example: Pressure created by the compressed air inside of the cylinder, Pressure
created by the atmosphere on the earth, etc.

Difference between stress and pressure:

Sr.
No. Pressure Stress

1] Pressure is the external Stress is the internal resistive force per unit area
force applied to the unit developed by an object to resist the deformation.
area of the object.

2] It is also called as It is also called as the intensity of the internal

Intensity of the external resistive force.
force.

3] Pressure is applied Stress is developed internally.

externally.

4] Pressure is normal to the The stress may be in a perpendicular or parallel

surface. direction.

5] Pressure is a scalar Stress is described by using magnitude,

quantity. direction, and point of application (hence it is
also known as a second-order tensor)

6] Pressure can be directly Stress can’t be measured directly by the use of

measured by the use of any device.
gauges.

7] The magnitude of The magnitude of stress may be same or

pressure is the same in different in all directions
all directions.

8] Pressure is responsible Stress helps to resist the deformation in an

for the deformation of an object.
object.

difference between stress and pressure

Read also these comparisons:

Force and Stress with units Stress and Strength with units

Stress and Strain difference Yield stress vs Ultimate stress

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