Pressure
Force per unit area.
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How it works
Pressure tells you how concentrated a force is on a surface. The same force can feel stronger or weaker depending on the area it acts over: spreading the force over a larger area lowers the pressure, while the same force over a smaller area raises it. This is why sharp objects cut more easily and why wide tyres or snowshoes reduce sinking.
When to use it
Use this formula when you need to find the pressure caused by a force acting on a surface, such as in hydraulics, tyres, snow, or contact forces. It is especially useful whenever you know the force and the area but want to compare how intense the push is.
Worked example, step by step
A 200 N box rests on a floor and touches the floor over an area of 0.50 m². P = F / A P = 200 / 0.50 P = 400 N/m² P = 400 Pa Final answer: 400 pascals
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong area units, such as cm² instead of m², without converting first
- Rearranging the formula incorrectly and dividing area by force
- Confusing pressure with force and forgetting that pressure depends on both force and contact area
Did You Know?
A sharp knife cuts well because its tiny contact area turns a modest force into enormous pressure.
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