What would be more painful?

Being trodden on by a 55kg

woman wearing stiletto heels?
 What would be more painful?

Being trodden on by a 55kg Or being trodden on by a 3

woman wearing stiletto heels? tonne elephant?
PHYSICS – Pressure
 What would be more painful?

Being trodden on by a 55kg Or being trodden on by a 3

woman wearing stiletto heels? tonne elephant?
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area

Area vs. Pressure

 The wider the area the
lesser the pressure.
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area
Force is measured in Newtons
(N)
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area
Force is measured in Newtons
(N)
Area is measured in metres (m
2
)
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area
Force is measured in Newtons
(N)
Area is measured in metres
(m2)

The unit of pressure is

Newtons per square metre
(N/m2)
Calculating pressure

Pressure = Force
area
Another name for Newton per
metre squared is the Pascal
(Pa)
Calculating pressure

In meteorology,
atmospheric pressure is
often described in units of a

𝑚𝑏 = 1𝑥105 𝑃a
millibar (mb), where 100
Calculating pressure

1 Kpa= 1000 Pa
1 atm =101.3KPa
 Calculating pressure
1. A box on the floor has a
weight of 250 newtons. The
area that the box rests on is
0.25m2. calculate the pressure
under the box

2. A hose causes a force of

8000N from the water over an
area of 0.5m by 0.5m.
Calculate the pressure.
 Calculating pressure
1. A box on the floor has a Pressure = F
weight of 250 newtons. The A
area that the box rests on is = 250/0.25
0.25m2. calculate the pressure =
under the box 1000N/m2

2. A hose causes a force of

8000N from the water over an
area of 0.5m by 0.5m.
Calculate the pressure.
 Calculating pressure
1. A box on the floor has a Pressure = F
weight of 250 newtons. The A
area that the box rests on is = 250/0.25
0.25m2. calculate the pressure =
under the box 1000N/m2

2. A hose causes a force of Pressure = F

8000N from the water over an A
area of 0.5m by 0.5m. =
Calculate the pressure. 8000/0.25

=32000N/m2
• 1. A 15kg rectangular block with a length of 70
cm and a width of 40 cm rest on a table. What
pressure does the book exert on the table?

• 525 Pa
 Examples of Pressure

1. Increase the pressure by reducing the area.

The area under the edge

of the blade of the knife
is very small. Beneath it
the pressure is very high,
so the blade can be
pushed easily through
materials such as fruit.
 Examples of Pressure

1. Increase the pressure by reducing the area.

The area under the edge The studs on a football boot

of the blade of the knife have a small area of contact
with the ground. This means
is very small. Beneath it that the pressure beneath the
the pressure is very high, studs is sufficient for them to
so the blade can be sink into the ground and
pushed easily through provide additional grip.
materials such as fruit.
 Examples of Pressure

1. Reduce the pressure by increasing the area.

Skis have a large area to

reduce the pressure on
the snow so they do not
sink in too deep.
 Examples of Pressure

1. Reduce the pressure by increasing the area.

Skis have a large area to Wall foundations have a

reduce the pressure on large horizontal area.
the snow so they do not This reduces the pressure
sink in too deep. beneath so that the wall
does not sink deeper into
the ground.
Air Pressure

Air pressure in the

atmosphere acts in all
directions.
Air Pressure

Air pressure in the

atmosphere acts in all
directions.

Air pressure gets less

as you rise up
through the
atmosphere. The
atmosphere is denser
at lower levels.
Air Pressure

Air pressure in the

atmosphere acts in all
directions.

Air pressure gets less

as you rise up
through the
atmosphere. The
atmosphere is denser
at lower levels.
At sea level,
atmospheric pressure
is about 100 kPa
 Air Pressure

We can measure atmospheric pressure using a

barometer.

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 Air Pressure

We can measure atmospheric pressure using a

barometer.
The sealed tube
contains a vacuum.
Air pressure will push
mercury up the tube.
At sea level a column
of 760 mm of mercury
can be supported.

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 Air Pressure

We can measure atmospheric pressure using a

barometer.
The sealed tube
contains a vacuum.
Air pressure will push
mercury up the tube.
At sea level a column
of 760 mm of mercury
can be supported.

As atmospheric
pressure changes, so
does the height of
mercury in the tube.
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Pressure in liquids

Pressure acts in all

directions
Pressure
increase
s with
depth
 Pressure in liquids

The weight of the liquid causes

pressure in the container. It
also causes pressure on any
object in the liquid.

Properties:
 Pressure in liquids

The weight of the liquid causes

pressure in the container. It
also causes pressure on any
object in the liquid.

Properties:

Pressure acts in all

directions. The liquid pushes
on all surfaces it is in contact
with. For a submarine this
means that pressure is being
exerted equally on all parts of
the hull.
 Pressure in liquids

The weight of the liquid causes

pressure in the container. It
also causes pressure on any
object in the liquid.

Properties:

Pressure increases with

depth. The deeper a liquid,
the greater the weight above
and so the higher the
pressure. This is why dams
are built with a taper towards
a thicker base.
 Pressure in liquids

The weight of the liquid causes

pressure in the container. It
also causes pressure on any
object in the liquid.

Properties:

Pressure increases with

depth. The deeper a liquid,
the greater the weight above
and so the higher the
pressure. This is why dams
are built with a taper towards
a thicker base.
Pressure depends upon the
density of the liquid. The more
dense a liquid, the higher the
pressure at any given depth.
 Pressure in liquids – calculations

• A closed rectangular container with

dimensions 4m x 5m x 6m is filled with water.
What is the pressure exerted by the water on
the bottom face of the container?
• A closed rectangular container with
dimensions 4m x 5m x 6m is filled with water.
What is the pressure exerted by the water on
the bottom face of the container?
 Pressure in liquids – calculations

Pressure at any given

point:

Pressure = ρgh

ρ (Greek letter ‘rho’)

Depth
Density = ρ
=h g = 9.8 m/s2
h = height of liquid

Base area =
A
Pressure in liquids – calculations

Pressure at any given point:

Pressure = ρgh

eg. If the density of water is 1000 kg/m3, what

is the pressure due to the water at the bottom
of a swimming pool 3m deep?

Pressure = ρgh

Pressure = 1000 x 9.8 x 3

Pressure = 29400 Pa
A closed container is filled
with a fluid that has a
specific gravity of 1.7. What
is the pressure exerted by
the fluid at a depth of 15m?
Specific gravity = ρ of a substance
= ρ of water

ρ of a substance =(ρ of water) (specific gravity)

ρ of a substance =(1000 kg/m2)(1.7) = 1700 kg/m2
Pressure = ρgh
Pressure = (1700 kg/m3) (9.8 m/s2)(15 m)
Hydraulics
Hydraulics
05-03 Pascal’s Principle and Measuring
Pressure
• Pascal’s Principle
– A change in pressure
applied to an enclosed
fluid is transmitted
undiminished to all
portions of the fluid and
the walls of its container.

– Basis of hydraulics
– Since , if we change the
area, the force is changed
 Hydraulics
Driver presses down on
jack handle here
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N

Area = 10cm2
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N

Area = 10cm2

Pressure = force
area
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N

Area = 10cm2

Pressure = 10
10

= 1 N/cm2
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N

Area = 10cm2

Pressure = 10
10
The pressure, 1 N/cm2, will be the
= 1 N/cm2 same anywhere in the system.
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N

Area = 10cm2 Area = 40cm2

Pressure = 10
10
The pressure, 1 N/cm2, will be the
= 1 N/cm2 same anywhere in the system.
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N Force = Pressure x area

Area = 10cm2 Area = 40cm2

Pressure = 10
10
The pressure, 1 N/cm2, will be the
= 1 N/cm2 same anywhere in the system.
 Hydraulics
Car is lifted
Driver presses down on by jack
jack handle here here

Force = 10N Force = Pressure x area

Force = 1 x 40 = 40N

Area = 10cm2 Area = 40cm2

Pressure = 10
10
The pressure, 1 N/cm2, will be the
= 1 N/cm2 same anywhere in the system.
 Hydraulics
Using a hydraulic jack, a
Car is lifted
small force can be
Driver presses down on by jack
multiplied to lift a heavy
jack handle here here
car.
Force = 10N Force = Pressure x area
Force = 1 x 40 = 40N

Area = 10cm2 Area = 40cm2

Pressure = 10
10
The pressure, 1 N/cm2, will be the
= 1 N/cm2 same anywhere in the system.
Standard Atmospheric pressure = 1.01 x 105 N/m2
 05-02 Pressure and Depth
• What is the total
pressure at points A
and B?
The pressures are the same because the depth is the same. It doesn’t
matter that B has rock above it.
Find the pressure on a scuba diver when she is 12 meters below the surface of the
ocean. Assume standard atmospheric conditions.

A cylindrical tank with a cross-sectional area of 2m2 contains water 4 m high. Find (a)
the total force acting on the bottom of the tank due to the water. and (b) the
pressure of the water at the bottom of the tank

You are drinking a juice box. In the process you suck all the juice and air out of
the box. The top of the box is 7.5 cm by 5 cm. If the air pressure is Pa, how
much force is acting on the top of the box?

How much force must be exerted at A to

support the 850-kg car at B? The piston
at A has a diameter of 17 mm and the
piston at B a diameter of 300 mm.
 05-03 Pascal’s Principle and Measuring
Pressure
• How much force must be exerted at A to support
the 850-kg car at B? The piston at A has a diameter
of 17 mm and the piston at B a diameter of 300
mm.

• F = 26.7 N A
B
You are drinking a juice box. In the
process you suck all the juice and air out
of the box. The top of the box is 7.5 cm
by 5 cm. If the air pressure is Pa, how
much force is acting on the top of the
box?
Find the pressure on a scuba diver when she is 12 meters below the surface of the
ocean. Assume standard atmospheric conditions.

Given: d (depth) = 12 m
Density of sea water = 1.03 x103 kg/m3
Atmospheric pressure = 1.01 x 105 N/m2

Unknown: Pressure on a scuba diver = ?

A cylindrical tank with a cross-sectional area of 2m2
contains water 4 high. Find (a) the total force acting on
the bottom of the tank due to the water. and (b) the
pressure of the water at the bottom of the tank

FORCE=mg
FORCE=ρVg
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.8 Pressure
Core Supplement
• Recall and use the equation p = F / • Recall and use the equation p = h ρ
A g
• Relate pressure to force and area,
using appropriate examples
• Describe the simple mercury
barometer and its use in measuring
atmospheric pressure
• Relate (without calculation) the
pressure beneath a liquid surface to
depth and to density, using
appropriate examples
• Use and describe the use of a
manometer
PHYSICS – Pressure