Pressure

Pressure is defined as force per unit area. This Formula Solver! Series program shows the step-by-step solution for finding pressure (in pascals), force (in newtons), or area (in meters squared) from the other two values (which you can enter yourself).

The effect of force upon an object depends on how you apply it. (Push a balloon with your hand and it moves; push it just as hard with a pin and it pops.) The critical difference is the force per unit area, or pressure.

Pressure is defined by the formula p=F/A where p is pressure, F is the force, and A is the area over which the force is applied. This tutorial will show how to use the basic formula to use any two of these to solve for the third.

• Solve for pressure: p = F/A
• Solve for force: F = pA
• Solve for area: A = F/p

(Here's a hint: when you get to the end of the solver, change a number and click Next again to see the whole thing recalculated with the new number.)

Get More Help!

Click one of these links to get more help from another Cramlet in this same chapter:

• Bottomless Worksheet of Pressure Conversion
• Pressure Conversion
• Pressure