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IGCSE Physics CIE: 1.9 Pressure

The document discusses pressure and how it relates to force and area. It defines pressure and provides examples of how pressure is affected by the size of the surface area force is applied to. The document also examines pressure in liquids and how pressure increases with depth and density. It provides the equation to calculate pressure in liquids and includes an example calculation.

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79 views

IGCSE Physics CIE: 1.9 Pressure

The document discusses pressure and how it relates to force and area. It defines pressure and provides examples of how pressure is affected by the size of the surface area force is applied to. The document also examines pressure in liquids and how pressure increases with depth and density. It provides the equation to calculate pressure in liquids and includes an example calculation.

Uploaded by

glassgamer30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IGCSE Physics CIE Your notes

1.9 Pressure
Contents
1.9.1 Pressure & Forces
1.9.2 Pressure in a Liquid

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1.9.1 Pressure & Forces


Your notes
Pressure
Pressure is defined as
The concentration of a force or the force per unit area
For example, when a drawing pin is pushed downwards:
It is pushed into the surface, rather than up towards the finger
This is because the sharp point is more concentrated (a small area) creating a larger pressure

When you push a drawing pin, it goes into the surface (rather than your finger)
Example 1: Tractors
Tractors have large tyres
This spreads the weight (force) of the tractor over a large area
This reduces the pressure which prevents the heavy tractor from sinking into the mud
Example 2: Nails
Nails have sharp pointed ends with a very small area
This concentrates the force, creating a large pressure over a small area
This allows the nail to be hammered into a wall
The pressure at the surface of a fluid can be calculated using the equation:

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Your notes

Pressure is measured in the units Pascals (Pa)


The area should always be the cross-sectional area of the object
This means the area where the force is at right angles to it
This equation can be rearranged with the help of a formula triangle:

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Your notes

Pressure, force, area formula triangle


This equation tells us that:
If a force is spread over a large area it will result in a small pressure
If it is spread over a small area it will result in a large pressure

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Your notes

High heels produce a higher pressure on the ground because of their smaller area, compared to flat shoes

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1.9.2 Pressure in a Liquid


Your notes
Pressure in Liquids
A fluid is either a liquid or a gas
When an object is immersed in a fluid, the fluid will exert pressure, squeez ing the object
This pressure is exerted evenly across the whole surface of the fluid and in all directions
The pressure exerted on objects in fluids creates forces against surfaces
These forces act at 90 degrees (at right angles) to the surface

The pressure of a fluid on an object creates a force normal (at right angles) to the surface

The pressure of a fluid on an object will increase with:


Depth within the fluid
Increased density of the fluid

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Calculating Pressure in Liquids


EXTENDED Your notes
The pressure is more accurately the difference in pressure at different depths h in a liquid, since
the pressure changes with the depth
The pressure due to a column of liquid can be calculated using the equation
Δp = ρgΔh

Where:
Δp = change in pressure in pascals (Pa)
Where 1 Pa = 1 N/m2
ρ = density of the liquid in kilograms per metre cubed (kg/m3)
g = gravitational field strength on Earth in newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
Δh = change in height of the column in metres (m)

The force from the pressure is exerted evenly across the whole surface of an object in a liquid,
and in all directions

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The force from the pressure of objects in a liquid is exerted evenly across its whole surface

Your notes
Worked example
Calculate the depth of water in a swimming pool where a pressure of 20 kPa is exerted. The
density of water is 1000 kg/m3 and the gravitational field strength on Earth is 9.8 N/kg.

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Exam Tip
Your notes
This pressure equation will be given on your formula sheet, however, make sure you are
comfortable with rearranging it for the variable required in the question!

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