Pressure (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award): Physics): Flashcards

Pressure is defined as the concentration of a force or the force per unit area.

The equation for pressure, force and area is

Where:

• = pressure, measured in pascals (Pa)

• = force, measured in newton's (N)

• = surface area, measured in metres squared (m²)

True.

Pressure is measured in pascals (Pa).

A force applied over a large area will result in a small pressure, and vice versa.

False.

A high-heeled shoe produces a higher pressure on the ground than a flat-soled shoe when worn by the same person.

This is because the same force is applied over a smaller surface area.

Tractors need large tyres to spread their weight over a large area to reduce the pressure they exert on the ground.

This prevents them from sinking into the mud.

When a force is applied to the nail, it pierces and enters the wall.

This is because the applied force is concentrated at the sharp pointed end, which produces a large pressure over a small area.

True.

The area used in calculating the pressure should always be the cross-sectional area of the object.

This is the area which is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the applied force.

The pressure applied by the grey face of the box onto the table is 4 Pa.