What is Pressure?

Pressure is the force exerted on an object per unit area. It is the amount of force applied to a given area. When you push on something with your finger, you are exerting pressure on it. Pressure can also be felt in the air and water around us.

Key Concepts

1. Force: The push or pull on an object.
2. Area: The amount of surface or space an object occupies.
3. Units: Pressure is measured in units such as pounds per square inch (psi) or Pascals (Pa).

Examples of Pressure

Here are some examples of pressure in everyday life:

• When you stand on one foot, you exert pressure on the ground.
• When you squeeze a balloon, you exert pressure on the air inside it.
• When you dive into a pool, you feel pressure on your ears from the water.

Study Guide

Use this study guide to learn more about pressure:

1. What is pressure?
2. How is pressure measured?
3. Give an example of pressure you experience in your daily life.
4. What are the units used to measure pressure?
5. Draw a picture showing an example of pressure and label the force and area involved.