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Understanding Pressure (P = F/A)
Pressure is defined as force per unit area: P = F/A. The SI unit is the Pascal (Pa), equal to one Newton per square meter. Pressure explains why a sharp knife cuts easily (small area, high pressure) and why snowshoes prevent sinking (large area, low pressure). The concept applies to fluids, gases, and solids.
Pressure Unit Conversions
Common pressure units include Pascals (Pa), pounds per square inch (psi), bar, atmospheres (atm), kilopascals (kPa), and millimeters of mercury (mmHg). One atmosphere equals 101,325 Pa, 14.696 psi, 1.01325 bar, or 760 mmHg. Tire pressure is typically measured in psi, weather in millibars, and blood pressure in mmHg.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure, equal to one Newton per square meter. It is a very small unit — atmospheric pressure is about 101,325 Pa, which is why kilopascals (kPa) and other units are often used in practice.
Divide psi by 14.5038 to get bar. For example, 30 psi = 2.07 bar. Alternatively, multiply bar by 14.5038 to get psi. Tire pressure of 32 psi equals about 2.21 bar.
Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 101,325 Pa (1 atm). This is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above us. It decreases with altitude — at 5,500 meters, pressure is roughly half of sea level.