Pressure in Fluids – Physics 10

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

1. Explain what pressure is.
2. Describe how pressure relate to force and area using appropriate examples and formula
3. Identify factors affecting pressure in liquids.
4. Describe the transmission of pressure in hydraulic systems.
5. Calculate pressure in liquids.
6. Explain the mechanism of a mercury barometer.
7. Explain the mechanism of a manometer
8. Explain principles of upthrust and floatation.
9. Describe how upthrust relate to floatation in fluids.
   • DEFINITION OF PRESSURE.

Pressure is a force applied per unit area. In order to understand some effects in which a force acts on a body we have to consider not only the force but also the area on which it acts. To avoid sinking into soft snow one needs for instance wear skis because in this way the body’s weight is spread over a greater area. In other words, the pressure is made to become less.