The pressure equation

The equation can be rearranged to calculate either force or area, if enough values are known.

\(pressure~(Pa) = \frac{force~normal~to~a~surface~(N)}{area~of~that~surface~(m^2)}\)

A pressure of 280 Pa acts at 90° to an area of 0.04 m². What force is exerted at 90° to the area?

First rearrange the equation to find force normal to surface area:

force normal to a surface area = pressure × area of that surface

Next substitute the values into the equation:

force = 280 × 0.04

force = 11.2 N

Question

A fluid exerts a pressure of 150 kPa at right angles to a wall of area of 180 m². Calculate the force on the wall.