Pressure

Pressure depends on the force and the area. It is the force per unit area.

Pressure (P) = Force (F) /Area (A)

                P = F/A

The SI unit of pressure is newton per unit metre square (Nm-2). The unit is Pascal (Pa)

1 NM ^-2 = 1Pa

WORKED EXAMPLES

1. A force of 10N acts on a surface of area 2m2. What is the pressure exerted on the surface?

SOLUTION

Pressure = Force (F)/ Area (A)

= 500N / 5m²

= 100 Pa or 100Nm²