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Pressure Formula:
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Pressure is defined as the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area. It is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering that describes how force is distributed over a surface area.
The calculator uses the pressure formula:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental equation shows that pressure increases with greater force and decreases with larger surface area. It's the basis for understanding hydraulic systems, atmospheric pressure, and many engineering applications.
Details: Pressure calculations are essential in various fields including mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, construction, and material science. Understanding pressure helps in designing safe structures, efficient hydraulic systems, and predicting material behavior under load.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons and area in square meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the pressure in Pascals (Pa).
Q1: What is the SI unit for pressure?
A: The SI unit for pressure is the Pascal (Pa), which is equal to one Newton per square meter (N/m²).
Q2: How does surface area affect pressure?
A: For a constant force, pressure decreases as surface area increases. This is why sharp knives cut better and why snowshoes prevent sinking in snow.
Q3: What are common pressure units besides Pascals?
A: Common units include atmospheres (atm), millimeters of mercury (mmHg), pounds per square inch (psi), and bars. 1 atm = 101,325 Pa.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for fluid pressure?
A: Yes, this formula applies to any situation where force is distributed over an area, including fluid pressure when considering the force exerted by the fluid.
Q5: What is gauge pressure vs absolute pressure?
A: Gauge pressure is relative to atmospheric pressure, while absolute pressure includes atmospheric pressure. This calculator gives absolute pressure values.