Pressure
Learning Objectives
- Students will understand pressure as force per unit area
- Students will calculate pressure from force and area
- Students will understand how pressure varies with depth and density
Core Concepts
- Pressure: force perpendicular to surface per unit area
- P = F/A relationship
- Pressure increases with depth in fluids
Formulas
$$P = \frac{F}{A}$$
Pressure equals force perpendicular to surface divided by area
$$P = P_0 + \rho g h$$
Pressure in fluid increases with depth (ρ = density, g = gravity, h = depth)
Units
| pascal | Pa |
| atmosphere | atm |
| bar | bar |
Interesting Fact
The pascal (Pa) is a very small unit; atmospheric pressure is about 101 kPa
Key Scientist
Blaise Pascal
Studies of pressure in fluids; pascal unit named after him
Ancient Wisdom
The uniform distribution of pressure in fluids mirrors spiritual teachings of universal energy flowing equally in all directions.
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