Pressure

Science: KS3, topic 2.1.10

Because of their different particle arrangements, solids, liquids and gases have different properties. Some cause pressure, others don’t.

Pressure means how much force is applied to something divided by the area it is applied over.

Solids cannot cause pressure because their particles cannot move off their fixed positions.

Gas particles move quickly in all directions.
They do not travel far before they bump into each other or the walls of their container.
Each time a particle hits the wall of a container, it causes pressure.
The more often gas particles hit the walls of their container, the higher the pressure.
The harder gas particles hit the walls of their container, the higher the pressure.
If the pressure gets too high, the container will burst.
E.g. squashing a balloon raises the pressure and bursts it.

Test yourself on Pressure