Pressure is calculated by dividing force by area. There is more pressure at greater depths in liquids and in denser materials.
Part ofCombined ScienceForce
The unit of pressure is N/m2 or pascal, Pa.
1 N/m2 = 1 Pa
For smaller areas, the units N/cm2 and N/mm2 are also used for pressure.
Pressure is only in pascals, Pa, when the force is in N and the area is in m2.
A pressure of 50 Pa means that a force of 50 N acts over an area of 1 m2.
Calculate the pressure exerted by a paving slab of weight 250 N if the area of contact with the ground is 1.25 m2.
p = \(\frac{\text{F}}{\text{A}}\)
F = 250 N
A = 1.25 m2
p = \(\frac{\text{250 N}}{\text{1.25 m}^{2}}\)
p = 200 Pa
The pressure exerted by the paving slab is 200 Pa.
