Pressure
Force spread over an area.
P = \dfrac{F}{A}
1What it means
Pressure is how concentrated a force is. The same force on a smaller area gives higher pressure — which is why sharp knives cut well. SI unit: pascal (Pa).
2Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P | Pressure (pascals, Pa) |
| F | Force (N) |
| A | Area (m²) |
3Worked examples
Example 1 Worked solution
Q. A 50 N force acts on 2 m². Find the pressure.
- P = F / A = 50 / 2.
✓ P = 25 Pa
4Where it's used
- ✦Hydraulics, tyres and weather (atmospheric pressure).
5Tips & common mistakes
- !Smaller area → larger pressure for the same force.
- !1 Pa = 1 N/m².