Pressure is force acting normally per unit area.
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝑆𝐼 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑁𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
If the amount of applied force is the same, then
Larger area --> Lower pressure Smaller area --> Higher pressure
Examples of Pressure Skis have a large area to hold up the weight of the skier on the snow Flat bottomed shoes are comfortable to wear due to reduced pressure acting on our feet A sharp knife can cut easily because the very high pressure under the cutting surface is more than the object can withstand
Atmospheric Pressure Atmospheric pressure exists because of MOLECULAR BOMBARDMENT of energetic air molecules (from the air around us) Under normal conditions, there are large numbers of air molecules and these molecules move with high velocities. They make frequent collisions with things around us The pressure exerted by the air molecules is almost equivalent to putting a 1 kg mass on an area of 1 cm2 Normal atmospheric pressure= 1 atm (about 1.013 x 105 pa or 101300 pa) 101300 Nm-2 = 10.13 Ncm-2 = 1.013 kgcm-2
Applications of Atmospheric Pressure
Drinking with a straw Drawing a liquid into a syringe by withdrawing the plunger Holding a rubber sucker on a smooth surface Removing dust with vacuum cleaner Pressure Due to a Liquid Column The taller the liquid column (with narrow base), the larger the amount of liquid contained, the greater the weight of the liquid to exert pressure The amount of pressure in the SAME liquid column is DIFFERENT at DIFFERENT DEPTHS. The greater the depth, the greater the weight of the liquid above it, the greater the pressure
The pressure in a liquid depends on the HEIGHT of the liquid
1. With atmospheric pressure p = p0 + ρ g h Pressure at bottom = atmospheric pressure + pressure due to liquid column In this case, when the container is open, there is atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid as well. 2. Without atmospheric pressure p=ρgh Pressure at bottom = pressure due to liquid column only In this case, when the container is closed, air is removed (vacuum), so there is no atmospheric pressure.
Factors affecting pressure in a liquid
1. Density of liquid 2. Depth of liquid 3. Gravitational acceleration
When it is at equilibrium, pressure must be the same at any point along the same depth Note: pressure does not depend on the shape of the liquid column.
Measurement of Pressure 1. Simple Mercury Barometer Used to measure atmospheric pressure
How to construct
A thick-walled glass tube (about 1m long) is filled with
mercury completely The open end of the tube is covered with a finger and inverted Place the inverted tube in a trough of mercury
Observation: The height of the mercury column found to be
about 760mm or 76cm Atmospheric pressure = 1 atm or 760 mmHg or 76 cmHg
Reasons for using mercury in a barometer
Mercury does not wet glass Mercury has a high density 2. Manometer Used to measure gas pressure
How to construct The manometer consists of a U-tube containing a column of liquid The liquid can be mercury, water or oil
How to measure? When both arms are open, same atmospheric pressure is exerted on the liquid surfaces (same horizontal level) To measure the pressure of a gas, left side is connected to a gas supply The gas exerts pressure on the surface at L. The gas pressure must be greater than atmospheric pressure to cause the right side to rise Pressure at L given by p = p0 + ρ g h Pressure in: Solids liquids Gas Pressure = Force/Area Pressure = h p g The air surrounding us exerts a pressure in all directions which h = depth of liquid (m) is about 105 Pa. Equation p = density of liquid (kg/m3) g = gravitational field strength
This formula can only be - A liquid exerts pressure - A barometer is used to
used for solids. because of its weight. measure pressure. It consists - Liquid pressure acts equally of an inverted tube in a dish of in all directions. This is mercury. The space above the because particles of the mercury in the tube is vacuum. water can flow and wrap - Liquid mercury is used as its around the object. density is very high and a Remarks shorter barometer can be used to show atmospheric pressure. - An object can be bent/sucked in due to the production of vacuum and due to the difference in pressure; the atmospheric pressure will press on the object.
Hydraulic Systems Pressure can be transmitted throughout a liquid in hydraulic presses When a small force is applied to the smaller piston, pressure is exerted on the liquid This pressure is transmitted in the liquid (oil) and is the same everywhere within the oil. Thus the pressure at the bigger piston must also be p. Since area at the bigger piston is bigger, force must also be greater
A small force applied to the
smaller piston can lift a greater load on the bigger piston
