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First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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Pressure (CIE AS Physics)

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Katie M

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Katie M

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Pressure

  • Pressure tells us how concentrated a force is, it is defined as the force per unit area

Pressure equation, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Pressure is equal to the force per unit area

  • This equation tells us
    • 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

Pressure on different areas, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Different pressure is exerted for the same force on different areas 

  • The units of pressure depend on the units of area:
    • If the area is measured in cm2 (and the force in N), then the pressure will be in N/cm2
    • If the area is measured in m2 (and the force in N), then the pressure will be in N/m2

  • Pressure can also be measured in pascals, Pa where 1 Pa is the same as 1 N/m2
  • Pressure, unlike force, is a scalar. Therefore pressure does not have a specific direction

U-tube manometer

  • A manometer is an instrument to measure pressure and density of two liquids

U-tube diagrams, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

  • In Figure 1: The level of liquid is equal because the atmospheric pressure (Patm) is the same
  • In Figure 2: If the pressure on one side rises, the liquid will be forced down making the liquid in the other limb rise. The difference between the two levels gives the pressure difference between the two ends of the tube
  • In Figure 3: The U-tube now has two different liquids. The density of the blue one is larger than that of the orange one. The pressure at each point is due to the atmospheric pressure plus the weight of the liquid above it

Worked example

A cylinder is placed on a horizontal surface as shown belowThe mass of the cylinder is 4.7 kg and the diameter is 8.4 cm. Calculate the pressure produced by the cylinder on the surface in Pa.

Worked example - Pressure on cylinder (2), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Examiner Tip

The area referred to is the ‘cross-sectional’ area of a 3D object. This is the area of the base that the force is applied on. For a cylinder, this will be a circle.

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.