5.4.1

Pressure

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Pressure

Pressure is the force per unit of area. This relationship can be rearranged to calculate force by multiplying the pressure by the area.

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Force on container

  • In fluids (liquids or gases), the particles collide with the walls of their container.
  • The particle exerts a force on the container and the container exerts a force on the particle.
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Force at right angles

  • The force exerted on the surface in contact with the fluid particle will be at the normal to the surface (at right angles).

Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area created by the weight of the air (particles) in the atmosphere.

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Mountains

  • At the top of mountains, atmospheric pressure is lower because there is less air (fewer particles) pressing down on the mountain.
  • Air is lighter than water, but it still exerts pressure on the things beneath it.
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Aeroplanes

  • When we move quickly up into the Earth’s atmosphere on a plane, your ears pop because of the drop in atmospheric (air) pressure.

Liquid Pressure

As you dive deeper into a swimming pool, there is more water (and weight) on top of you. This extra weight exerts a larger force (and higher pressure) on your body. The deeper down you swim, the more pressure you feel.

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Liquid pressure = density x gravitational field strength x depth

  • The pressure beneath a liquid’s surface = density of fluid x gravitational field strength x depth.
  • Pressure is measured in pascals (Pa).
  • Density of fluid is measured in g/cm3.
  • Depth is also equal to the height of the column of water above you.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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