Force acting at right angles to a surface Pressure, P = Force, F

Pressure
Area, A
N / m2 or Pa (Pascal)
Unit

6N

C
2m 3m 2m
A B
2N 2N

Pressure acting on surface A Pressure, P = 2 N = = 0.33 N/m2

3x2

Pressure acting on surface B Pressure, P = 2 N = = 0.5 N/m2

2x2

Pressure acting on surface C Pressure, P = 6 N = = 1.0 N/m2

3x2
 Pressure, P = Force, F
Application of Pressure
Area, A

Pressure Force Pressure Force

Small Large

Small
Large

Area Area
Ski Area : Large
Pressure : Less
Boot Stud Area : Small
Won’t sink in snow
Pressure : High
Better grip on ground

Wall Area : Large

Pressure : Less
Not sink into ground Knife Blade Area :
Washer Area: Large
Pin Area : Small Small
Pressure : Less
Pressure : High Pressure : High
Nut won’t pull into
Easily push through Easily push through
wood
wood material
 Pressure, P = Force, F
If either shoes steps on your feet, which one is more painful?
Area, A

20 kPa 500 kPa

 Pressure, P = Force, F
Problem
Area, A

Problem 1 : The wind pressure on the wall
on the right is 100 Pa. If the wall has an
area of 6 m2, what is the force on it?
Problem 2 : A concrete block has a mass
of 2600 kg. If the block measures 0.5 m by
1.0 m by 2.0 m, what is the maximum
pressure it can exert when resting on the
ground? (g = 10 N/kg)

Pressure, P = F = Pressure, P = F =
A A
100 = F = P = 2600 x 10 =
6 0.5 x 1
F = 6 x 100 P = 26000 =
= 600 N 0.5
P = 52000 N/m2

P = 52 kPa (Max)