3.2.9

Pressure

Test yourself

Pressure

Pressure is caused when particles in gases or water hit the side of containers. The unit is Newton per Metres2 or N/m2, but also Pascals. One N/m2 is equal to 1 Pascal (Pa).

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Pressure

  • In a gas, particles are moving in all directions and at different speeds.
  • If they hit the sides of their container or walls, this causes pressure.
  • This is the same for water pressure.
  • A greater number of collisions means an increase in pressure.
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Calculating pressure

  • To calculate pressure, you must use the equation:
    • Pressure = force รท area.
  • The units are:
    • Pressure: N/m2.
    • Force: N.
    • Area: m2.
  • 1 N/m2 is equal to 1 Pascal (Pa).
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Area and pressure

  • The larger the area in contact with a force, the lower the pressure.
  • So a sharper knife will cut through a carrot easier than a blunt knife because of its smaller surface area.
  • A smaller surface will increase the pressure.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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