Pressure (usually denoted by ) is measured as the distributed force over an area/surface.
Definition
While the idea of forces is a useful concept, a more realistic concept is pressure, which helps explain why bullets are so strong, while falling flat on a pool of water hurts so much, why drills are always cone shaped, etc.
Pressure applies to all states of matter: solids as well as fluids (gasses and liquids)
Calculating Pressure
- = Pressure (in Pascals, Pa or Newton-Metres squared, Nm²)
- = Force (in Newtons, N)’
- = Area (in metres squared, m²)
Since area is inversely proportional to pressure, objects with smaller surface area (such as pointed tips) will always have a greater pressure than flat surfaces.
Pascal’s Principle
Vital in Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Pascal’s Principle states that:
Pressure exerted anywhere in a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid.
Again, fluids here refers to both liquids and gases.