Pressure

(18 March 2020)

 What is pressure?
• Pressure is defined as A FORCE ACTING ON A SURFACE AREA
• In simpler words, pressure is defined generally as a push acting on a body
of an object.
• Whenever we push an object down, we are applying pressure on the object.
 Where can we find pressure in daily life?
• The short answer is everywhere for example:
• When we are standing, our feet will apply pressure to the ground since gravity is pulling
us down (weight).
• When we are sleeping, our body will also apply pressure to our bed since again, gravity is
pulling us down (weight).
• Pressure can also occur inside liquids and gasses.
• Pressure in liquid is known as Liquid Pressure
• Pressure in gas is known as Gas Pressure or Atmospheric Pressure (Pressure from the
earth’s atmosphere)
 How do we calculate pressure?
• The general equation to calculate pressure is defined as follows:
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
• We use this general equation of pressure when two object’s surface are in contact
with each other and one of the object is pushing on the other object.
• E.g. when you are standing on the ground.
• The SI Unit for pressure is N/m2, or the other unit for pressure is Pa (Pascal)
 Example question 1 to calculate pressure
A person is pushing down on a table with a force of 600 N. Supposing that the
surface area of the table is 5 m2, calculate the pressure acting on the table!
 Worked example of example question 1
1. First, identify the object that is being pushed down!
• In this case, the object is the table.
2. Next, define the force acting on the table!
• Force: 600 N
3. Next, define the surface area of the table itself!
• Area: 5 m2
4. Finally, divide force with the area given to calculate pressure!
• Pressure: 600 N ÷ 5 m2 = 120 Pa
 Example question 2 to calculate pressure
A person is pushing down on a table with a force of 300 N. Supposing that the
surface area of the table is 5 m2, calculate the pressure acting on the table!
 Worked example of example question 2
1. First, identify the object that is being pushed down!
• In this case, the object is the table.
2. Next, define the force acting on the table!
• Force: 300 N
3. Next, define the surface area of the table itself!
• Area: 5 m2
4. Finally, divide force with the area given to calculate pressure!
• Pressure: 300 N ÷ 5 m2 = 60 Pa
 Example question 3 to calculate pressure
A person is pushing down on a table with a force of 600 N. Supposing that the
surface area of the bench is 2 m2, calculate the pressure acting on the table!
 Worked example of example question 3
1. First, identify the object that is being pushed down!
• In this case, the object is the bench.
2. Next, define the force acting on the bench!
• Force: 600 N
3. Next, define the surface area of the bench itself!
• Area: 2 m2
4. Finally, divide force with the area given to calculate pressure!
• Pressure: 600 N ÷ 5 m2 = 300 Pa
Relations between pressure, force, and area
• Take another look at the result of each of the previous question charted on the table below:
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3
Force: 600 N Force: 300 N Force: 600 N
Area : 5 m2 Area: 5 m2 Area: 2 m2
Pressure: 120 Pa Pressure: 60 Pa Pressure: 300 Pa
• From the table above, it is clear that whenever the force is different, the pressure will either
increase along with force or decrease with force as well.
• The opposite will happen with area and pressure. Whenever the force is the same but the area
increases, pressure will decrease. Whenever the area decreases, the pressure instead will
increase.
 What does it mean then?
• Increase in pressure is proportionate (equal) with the increase in force. The
bigger the force is, the bigger the pressure will be and vice versa.
• Increase in pressure is inversely proportionate (opposite) with the increase
in area. The bigger the area is, the smaller the pressure will be and vice versa.
How can we increase or decrease pressure?
• To increase pressure on an object, we can either:
A. Increase the force acting on the object or
B. Decrease the surface area of the object
• To decrease pressure on an object, we can either:
A. Decrease the force acting on the object or
B. Increase the surface area of the object
 Exercise
• Complete the exercise given along with the lecture notes. (Exercise
8.0.1.docx)
• Once completed, upload your answer before 1:10 P.M.
• If you can’t upload your answer through the website, email your answer to:
• joshuaalamsyah@yahoo.com
• Subject: [your name] Exercise Pressure 1
End of lecture