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In addition to the revision notes for Pressure. Solid Pressure on this page, you can also access the following Density and Pressure learning resources for Pressure. Solid Pressure
| Tutorial ID | Title | Tutorial | Video Tutorial | Revision Notes | Revision Questions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Pressure. Solid Pressure |
In these revision notes for Pressure. Solid Pressure, we cover the following key points:
By definition, "pressure represents the perpendicular force exerted in the unit of area".
The smallest contact area produces the greatest pressure for the same force and vive-versa, i.e. force and area are inversely proportional to each other.
Mathematically, we have
If the force is not perpendicular to the surface, we consider only the normal component to it. Thus, the equation of pressure becomes
where θ is the angle formed by the force and the surface direction.
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].
In the SI system of units,
Despite the force is a vector, pressure is a scalar because it acts in all directions. Another factor why pressure is consider as a scalar is the vector meaning sometimes we give to the surface by expressing it through a vector normal to it. Therefore, we have to divide in scalar mode two collinear vectors; force and area whose result gives a scalar, i.e. the pressure.
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