D-1 03.01.

2021

PRESSURE
Pressure
  
Pressure is the force acting per unit area at right
angles to a surface.

Pressure can be calculated by using the equation:

Pressure =

SI unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa)or N/m2and pressure

can also measure in kilopascal(Kpa). 1kpa = 1000pa
Example question:
The base for a statue rests on level ground. It is made
from stone and is 2.0 m long, 2.5 m high and 0.80 m
wide. It has a weight of 96 000 N. Calculate the
pressure.

Ans: Base area hit the ground = l × b

= 2 × 0.80 = 1.6 m2
P = F/A = 96000/1.6
= 60 000 Pa
Pressure act on an object depends on two things
How much force is applied to the object
If higher force applied on an object the pressure act on
the object will be more.

How big (or small) the area of the object on which

force applied
If the area of the object on which force applied is more
the pressure act on the object is low and if the area of
the object on which force applied is less the pressure
act on the object is more.
Everyday examples of how pressure varies
with force and area
Increasing pressure by reducing the area

The area under the edge of the
knife’s blade is small. Beneath it,
the pressure is high enough for the
blade to push easily through the
material
The end of the pin is very sharp, it
provide great pressure to the
objects and so easy to put into
objects
 Reducing pressure by increasing the area

Skis have a large area to reduce Tractors have wide tyre to reduce
the pressure on the snow so that the pressure act on the ground so
they do not sink in too far that they do not sink too far of the
ground
Pressure in liquids
In a liquid such as water, pressure does not simply act
down wards – it equally in all directions. This is
because the molecules of the liquid move around in all
directions, causing pressure on every surface they
collide with.
Factors affecting the pressure in a liquid
The pressure in a liquid depends on
Depth of the liquid
The deeper the liquid, the higher the pressure
Density of the liquid
The more dense the liquid, the higher pressure at
particular depth
Pressure of the liquid doesn’t depend on the shape of the
container.
Calculating the Pressure in a Liquid
The pressure on the liquid can be calculated by using
the following equation:
Pressure on the liquid = density of the liquid ×
gravitational field × depth of the liquid
P = ρgh
Example question:
A rectangular storage tank is filled with paraffin to a depth of
0.8m. The density of the paraffin is 800kg/m3. Calculate the
pressure at the bottom of the tank.
Ans: P = ρgh
P = 800 × 10 × 0.8
= 6400 Pa