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KS3

Pressure
P:rt of Physics Forces (nd movement

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Key points
Key points
Pressure is : me:sure of how concentr:ted (or spre:d out) : force is.
Effects of force (nd The :mount of pressure exerted on :n object depends on the force :pplied
(re( on pressure :nd the surf:ce :re: it is spre:d over.
Try it (t home We c:n c:lcul:te the :mount of pressure on :n object using : simple
formul::
C(lcul(ting pressure

Applic(tions of                                                   Pressure = force ÷ (re(

pressure

Test your knowledge

Effects of force (nd (re( on pressure

A rock resting on : so surf:ce, like s:nd or mud, will cre:te :n indent:tion.
The depth of this indent:tion depends on the pressure exerted on the ground.
The l:rger the pressure the deeper the indent:tion it will cre:te.

The gre:ter the weight of the rock, the higher the pressure it exerts on the
ground.
The sm:ller the surf(ce (re( resting on the ground, the higher the
pressure it exerts on the ground.

We could incre:se the pressure even further by pressing down on the rock or
st:nding on it, bec:use this incre:ses the downw:rds force which cre:tes :
deeper indent:tion.

Try it (t home

Try this experiment :t home to find out :bout pressure.

Don't forget your s(fety goggles!

Equipment for the pressure experiment

You will need two b:lloons :nd : pencil. Don't forget your s:fety goggles!

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C(lcul(ting pressure
Pressure c:n be me:sured in m:ny different units, but scientists usu:lly use
units c:lled p(sc(ls (P() .

Other units commonly used to me:sure pressure include newtons per squ:re
centimetre (N/cm²), b(rs :nd pounds per squ:re inch (P.S.I.)

One p:sc:l is the pressure exerted when : force of one newton is spre:d over
:n :re: of 1 squ:re metre, so one p:sc:l (1 P:) is the s:me :s one newton
per squ(re metre (1 N/m²).

Most physicists use p:sc:ls or N/cm² when c:rrying out pressure

c:lcul:tions, :nd these :re the units th:t should be used for physics
c:lcul:tions.

We c:n c:lcul:te the :mount of pressure on :n object using : simple formul::

                                              Pressure = force ÷ (re(

Ex(mple
Consider the ex:mple of the b:lloon being popped using the blunt end of :
pencil. If the :re: of the end of the pencil is 0.5cm² :nd the force required to
pop the b:lloon is 50 newtons, then we c:n c:lcul:te the pressure :s follows:

P ressure = force ÷ area

P ressure = 50N ÷ 0.5cm²
P ressure = 100N/cm²
When the b:lloon w:s popped using the sh:rp end of : pencil, which h:s :
much sm:ller surf:ce :re: (only 0.001cm²), the force required to pop the
b:lloon w:s much lower (0.1 newtons).

P ressure = force ÷ area

P ressure = 0.1N ÷ 0.001cm²
P ressure = 100N/cm²
This is why the b:lloon popped more e:sily – the pressure required to pop the
b:lloon is the s:me :s before, but the force needed w:s much lower. A
sm:ller force exerted the s:me pressure, bec:use the :re: over which it w:s
spre:d (the sh:rpened end of the pencil) w:s much lower.

It would be even more difficult to pop the b:lloon if you pressed down with
the p:lm of your h:nd, which h:s : much l:rger surf:ce :re:.

Assuming the pressure required to pop the b(lloon is the s(me 100N/cm²
(nd the (re( of your p(lm is 100cm², c(lcul(te the force required to pop the
b(lloon.

Show (nswer

Applic(tions of pressure
Underst:nding the connection between force, pressure :nd :re: c:n help
scientists :nd engineers design :nd m:ke more effective m:chines :nd
devices.

For ex:mple, knives :nd cutting tools like :xes h:ve : sm:ll surf:ce :re:, so
they exert the l:rgest possible pressure :nd cut things more e:sily. These
tools oen become blunt bec:use the surf:ce :re: of the cutting edge
incre:ses :er repe:ted uses. Sh:rpening these tools ensures the surf:ce
:re: rem:ins sm:ll, so the tools exert : l:rger pressure :nd will cut more
effectively.

Sh:rpening tools :nd knives incre:ses the pressure they :pply, so they cut more
effectively

The opposite principle is used for designing skis :nd snowbo:rds – these h:ve
: l:rge surf:ce :re:, to stop them from sinking into the snow.

The l:rge surf:ce :re: spre:ds the snowbo:rder’s weight out, reducing the
pressure exerted on the snow. This stops them from sinking, even if the snow
is very deep.

The l:rge surf:ce :re: of the skis decre:ses the pressure on the snow, which prevents
the skier from sinking

Wh(t would the pressure exerted in the snow of ( skier be, if the person on
the skis weighed 700 newtons (nd the skis h(d ( surf(ce (re( of 1.4m²?

Show (nswer

Underst:nding pressure is useful in designing effective br:kes for bicycles

:nd c:rs, hydr:ulic suspension systems, diving equipment, subm:rines,
sp:cecr: :nd much more. High pressure jets of w:ter c:n be used for
cle:ning :nd even to cut through met:l.

High pressure w:ter jets c:n cut through met:ls

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Forces (nd movement

Build on your knowledge with these guides.

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Introduction to forces Pressure Force di(gr(ms (nd Motion (nd speed

result(nt forces

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Force di:gr:ms :nd result:nt forces

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