Physics overview
What is pressure?
Pressure measures how much force acts over a given area. The same force produces greater pressure when it is concentrated over a smaller surface.
Formula
Pressure formula
PressureP = F ÷ A
- P is pressure in pascals.
- F is force in newtons.
- A is area in square meters.
Worked example
A 500 N force acts over 2 m²
- Write the formula: P = F ÷ A.
- Substitute the values: P = 500 ÷ 2.
- Calculate the pressure: P = 250 Pa.
Rearranged equations
Solve for force or area
Force
F = P × A
Multiply pressure by area.
Area
A = F ÷ P
Divide force by pressure.
Units
Standard SI units
Use pascals for pressure, newtons for force, and square meters for area. One pascal is equal to one newton per square meter.
Real-world applications
Where pressure calculations are used
- Contact pressure between solid surfaces.
- Mechanical loads acting on plates and supports.
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Laboratory force and area experiments.
Calculation limits
Important assumptions
- Pressure, force, and area must be greater than zero.
- Force is assumed to act evenly over the stated area.
- Area should be measured in square meters for a result in pascals.
- The calculator does not automatically convert units.
Questions and answers
Pressure calculator FAQ
What formula does the pressure calculator use?
It uses P = F ÷ A, where pressure equals force divided by area.
What is the SI unit of pressure?
The SI unit of pressure is the pascal, written as Pa. One pascal equals one newton per square meter.
How do you calculate force from pressure?
Multiply pressure by area using F = P × A.
How do you calculate area from pressure?
Divide force by pressure using A = F ÷ P.