1. What is the Pressure Formula in Physics?

Definition: Pressure is defined as the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.

Purpose: This calculator helps students and professionals determine the pressure exerted when a force is applied to a surface area.

2. How Does the Pressure Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pressure (Pascals, Pa)
• \( F \) — Force applied perpendicular to the surface (Newtons, N)
• \( A \) — Area over which the force is distributed (square meters, m²)

Explanation: Pressure increases with greater force or smaller surface area. It's a scalar quantity measured in Pascals (1 Pa = 1 N/m²).

3. Importance of Pressure Calculation

Details: Understanding pressure is crucial in engineering, fluid mechanics, construction, and many everyday applications like tire pressure and hydraulic systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the force in Newtons and the area in square meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are common units for pressure?
A: Pascals (Pa) are the SI unit. Other common units include atmospheres (atm), mmHg (torr), psi (pounds per square inch), and bar.

Q2: How does area affect pressure?
A: For a constant force, pressure increases as area decreases (sharper knives cut better because force is concentrated on a smaller area).

Q3: What's the difference between pressure and force?
A: Force is the total push or pull, while pressure is how concentrated that force is over an area.

Q4: What is atmospheric pressure at sea level?
A: Approximately 101,325 Pa or 1 atm.

Q5: How is pressure used in hydraulic systems?
A: Hydraulic systems use Pascal's principle - pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished throughout the fluid.