Pressure from Force and Area
Pressure from Force and Area
Pressure is force spread over area — the principle behind hydraulics, footings and contact stress.
The pressure is P = F/A. where F is the normal force and A the contact area.
Inputs
F := 5000 N=5000 N
A := 0.02 m^2=0.02 m^2
Divide force by area.
P := F/A=250000 Pa
Results
The same force over a smaller area gives a higher pressure — why sharp tools cut and wide footings spread load. In hydraulics this pressure transmits equally throughout the fluid.
Assumptions & limitations
- Uniform pressure over the area.
- Normal (perpendicular) force.
- Rigid contact surfaces.