Notes by M.

Armoogum

Chapter: Pressure

When a force is applied perpendicularly over a certain area, a pressure is said to be exerted

Pressure can be defined as the force exerted perpendicularly per unit area of a surface

SI unit of pressure : pascal (Pa)

Another possible unit: N/m2

1 N/m2 = 1 Pa

To increase pressure, we can

(i) increase force applied

(ii) reduce area of contact

Notes by M.Armoogum
Notes by M.Armoogum

For eg A knife or a stiletto heel can exert a large pressure due to a very small area of contact with
a surface

Q. A man has a mass of 90 kg and he has an area of contact of 20cm by 25cm with the ground

Find (i) the weight of the man (g= 9.8 N/kg)

(ii) the pressure he exerts on the ground

Notes by M.Armoogum
Notes by M.Armoogum

Q. A rectangular block has dimensions 5cm by 10cm by 20cm. It has a weight of 40N

Find

(i) the minimum pressure it can exert when placed on a surface

(ii) the maximum pressure it can exert when placed on a surface

Notes by M.Armoogum
Notes by M.Armoogum

Pressure exerted by fluid (liquid or gas)

Volume of liquid =

Mass of fluid =

Weight of fluid =

Force on base =

Pressure on base =

P = hρg
P:

h:

ρ:

g:

Q. Calculate the pressure exerted by

(i) 20m of water of density 1000kg/m3

(ii) 70cm of mercury of density 13600kg/m3

(iii) 5km of air of density 1.2kg/m3

Notes by M.Armoogum