Pressure
p = F / A = dF / dA
where:
p : Pressure (Pascal or N/m
2)
F : Normal force (N)
A : Area (m
2)
Explanation
Pressure is a scalar quantity.
Pressure is an effect which occurs when a
force is applied on a surface.
Pressure is transmitted to solid boundaries or across arbitrary sections of fluid
normal to these boundaries or sections at every point.
Example
The pressure of air at the surface of the earth is caused by the weight of the air
column.
A column of air with a cross section of 1 m
2 has an approximate mass
of 10200 kg.
P = F / A = mg / A = 10200 . 9.8 / 1 = 99960 N/m
2 (or 99.96 kP)