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Pressure

Definition

Pressure refers to the force applied per unit area. It measures how much force is distributed over a given surface area.

Analogy

Think about stepping on sand with bare feet versus stepping on it with shoes. When you step with shoes, your weight is spread out over a larger area, reducing pressure. But when you step without shoes, all your weight is concentrated on a smaller area, increasing pressure.

Related terms

Pascal's Principle: States that when pressure is applied to an enclosed fluid, it is transmitted equally in all directions.

Atmospheric Pressure: The pressure exerted by Earth's atmosphere due to its weight above any given point.

Gauge Pressure: The difference between absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure at a particular location.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.