Menu
Physics Lesson 9.2.1 - The Meaning of Pressure
Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use
Welcome to our Physics lesson on The Meaning of Pressure, this is the first lesson of our suite of physics lessons covering the topic of Pressure. Solid Pressure, you can find links to the other lessons within this tutorial and access additional physics learning resources below this lesson.
The Meaning of Pressure
Obviously, there is a common explanation in simple words for all the above questions: A thin solid object penetrates much easier in another solid than a thicker one. This means a smaller force is needed to make a thin object punch a surface compared to the force needed for the same action if we used a thick object. On the other hand, if we have two identical pins and we are trying to nail them on a hard surface, the pin on which we use a greater force will penetrate easier inside the surface. This means the penetrating ability of an object varies directly with the force used and indirectly with its thickness.
The physical quantity that takes into consideration both the abovementioned factors is known as "pressure, P". By definition, "pressure represents the perpendicular force exerted in the unit of area".
Mathematically, we have
Look at the figure.
If the force is not perpendicular to the surface, we consider only the normal component to it. This means we must also consider the sine of the angle formed by the force vector and the surface. Look at the figure.
Based on the figure, we can write
In many cases, the force is already normal to the surface. Therefore, the angle is not written in the formula, as sin 900 = 1.
The unit of pressure is [N / m2] as force is measured in Newtons and area in square metres. This unit is otherwise known as Pascals [Pa].
Let's resolve Pascal into SI units only. Thus,
You have reached the end of Physics lesson 9.2.1 The Meaning of Pressure. There are 3 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Pressure. Solid Pressure, you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.
More Pressure. Solid Pressure Lessons and Learning Resources
Whats next?
Enjoy the "The Meaning of Pressure" physics lesson? People who liked the "Pressure. Solid Pressure lesson found the following resources useful:
- Definition Feedback. Helps other - Leave a rating for this definition (see below)
- Density and Pressure Physics tutorial: Pressure. Solid Pressure. Read the Pressure. Solid Pressure physics tutorial and build your physics knowledge of Density and Pressure
- Density and Pressure Revision Notes: Pressure. Solid Pressure. Print the notes so you can revise the key points covered in the physics tutorial for Pressure. Solid Pressure
- Density and Pressure Practice Questions: Pressure. Solid Pressure. Test and improve your knowledge of Pressure. Solid Pressure with example questins and answers
- Check your calculations for Density and Pressure questions with our excellent Density and Pressure calculators which contain full equations and calculations clearly displayed line by line. See the Density and Pressure Calculators by iCalculator™ below.
- Continuing learning density and pressure - read our next physics tutorial: Liquid Pressure. Pascal's Principle
Help others Learning Physics just like you
Please provide a rating, it takes seconds and helps us to keep this resource free for all to use
We hope you found this Physics lesson "Pressure. Solid Pressure" useful. If you did it would be great if you could spare the time to rate this physics lesson (simply click on the number of stars that match your assessment of this physics learning aide) and/or share on social media, this helps us identify popular tutorials and calculators and expand our free learning resources to support our users around the world have free access to expand their knowledge of physics and other disciplines.