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
Pressure is the same in all directions at a point in a fluid
Key Scientist
Blaise Pascal
Studies of pressure in fluids; pascal unit named after him
Philosophy
Pressure distributes force uniformly in all directions, reflecting the physical principle that pressure acts equally in all directions at a given point.
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