0625 IGCSE PHYSICS 2024

Michael Onekgiu
4th Dec.2023
Content overview

1 Motion, forces and energy

2 Thermal physics
3 Waves
4 Electricity and magnetism
5 Nuclear physics
6 Space physics
Motion, forces and energy
The use of rulers and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume
Parallax errors
● Precaution to note when taking any reading of
measurement is to avoid parallax by taking reading
perpendicular to scale
parallax parallax
error error
DENSITY
 Measuring Time
Analogue clock
Digital Clock
 SCALAR AND VECTOR
● A scalar quantity has magnitude (size) only
● A vector quantity has magnitude and direction.

● The following quantities are scalars:

distance, speed, time, mass, energy and temperature

The following quantities are vectors:

force, weight, velocity, acceleration, momentum,
electric field strength and gravitational field
strength.
RESULTANT FORCES
 Motion
● Speed is distance travelled per unit time;

● velocity is speed in a given direction

S=

Average speed = total distance travelled

total time taken
DISTANCE TIME GRAPH
SPEED - TIME GRAPH & ACCELERATION
● Acceleration is the rate at which the velocity is changing.
QUESTION
FINDING DISTANCE TRAVELLED UNDER SPEED TIME GRAPH
CALCULATING SPEED AND ACCELERATION
 Calculating weight
weight = mass × gravitational
acceleration

W=mxg

weight is measured in N
mass is measured in kg
gravitational acceleration is measured in m/s2

On the Earth’s surface a mass of 1kg

has a weight of 10N.
As the object speeds up
frictional forces such as air
resistance become greater the
faster the object moves.

Eventually the resultant force

on the object will be zero when
the frictional forces equal the
weight of the object.

The object then moves at a

constant speed called
terminal velocity.
Velocity-time graph of a parachutist
velocity
first terminal parachute
velocity opened

ground
initial reached
acceleration
= 10 m/s2
second terminal
velocity

time
 Force newtonmeters
A force is a push or a pull.
A force can cause an object to:
○ speed up
○ slow down
○ change direction
○ change shape

Force is measured in
newtons (N).
Force is measured with a
newtonmeter.
Sketch, plot and interpret load–extension graphs for an elastic
solid and describe the associated experimental procedures
Stretching Springs
Experimental procedure:
1. Place the weight holder
only on the spring and note
the position of the pin spring
against the metre rule.
2. Add 1N (100g) to the
holder and note the new weights
position of the pin.
3. Calculate the extension of
the spring. pin
4. Repeat stages 1 to 3 for metre rule
2N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 6N. DO
Force against extension graph

Force (N)

0
0 Extension (mm)
 Hooke’s law
Hooke’s law states that the extension of
a spring is proportional to the force used
to stretch the spring.

‘Proportional’ means that if the force is

doubled then the extension also doubles.

The line on a graph of force against extension

will be a straight AND go through the origin.
Force against extension
graph if the proportionality
limit is exceeded

Force (N)
Proportionality
limit

0
0 Extension (mm)
Hooke’s law
Example 2
Calculate the spring constant of a spring which is stretched 2 mm
by a force of 4 N.
 Exercise
1. A 2 N weight is applied to a spring which has a spring
constant of 250 N/m. Calculate the extension of the spring in cm.

2. Calculate the spring constant of a spring which is stretched 4

cm
by a mass of 200 g. HINT: Force = Weight, Weight = Mass X acceleration of free
fall
( Take g = 9.8 m/s2)
Stretching an elastic band

Force

An elastic band
does not obey
Hooke’s law.
0
0 Extension
FORCE, MASS AND ACCELERATION
● An object either remains at rest or continues in a straight line at
constant speed unless acted on by a resultant force.

● A resultant force may change the velocity of an object by changing

its direction of motion or its speed
Circular motion
Describing, qualitatively, motion in a circular path
due to a force perpendicular to the motion:

 speed increases if force increases, with mass

and radius constant
 radius decreases if force increases, with mass
and speed constant
 an increased mass requires an increased force
to keep speed and radius constant
Effects of forces continued...
● Solid friction is the force between two surfaces that
may impede motion and produce heating.

● Friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a

liquid.

● Friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a

gas (e.g. air resistance)
Turning effect of forces
● The moment of a force is a measure of its turning
effect and everyday examples include opening a
door, opening a fridge, removing car tyres using
wheel spanners.

● The moment of a force is defined as the product

of force and perpendicular distance from the
pivot.
The moment of a force
Also known as the turning effect of a force.

The moment of a force about any point is

defined as:

moment = force x perpendicular

distance from the
pivot Force F exerting an
ANTICLOCKWISE
moment through the
moment = F x d
spanner on the nut

Unit: newton-metre (Nm)

Moments can be either CLOCKWISE or

ANTICLOCKWISE
 Question
Calculate the moment exerted
with the claw hammer if the
person exerts a force of 80N
and distance d equals 25cm.
moment = F x d
= 80N x 25cm
= 80N x 0.25m
= 20 Nm CLOCKWISE
TRIPLE ONLY

The principle of moments

When an object is not turning (e.g. balanced):
The total clockwise moment equals the
total anticlockwise moment

If the ruler above is balanced:

clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment
W2 x d2 = W1 x d1
TRIPLE ONLY

Question 1

On a see-saw Mary, weight 600N balances John, weight

200N when she sits 1.5m away from the pivot. How far from
the pivot is John?
Applying the principle of moments:
Mary’s weight x distance = John’s weight x distance
600N x 1.5m = 200N x distance
900 = 200 x distance
900 ÷ 200 = distance
John is 4.5m from the pivot
 TRIPLE ONLY

Question 2

Calculate the weight of the Applying the principle of moments:

beam, W0 if it is balanced
W1 x d1 = W0 x d0
when:
W1 = 6N; 6N x 12 cm = W0 x 36 cm
d1 = 12 cm; W0 = 72 / 36
d0 = 36 cm. W0 the weight of the beam = 2N
 Centre of gravity
The centre of gravity of a body is that point at which
the weight of the body acts.

The centre of gravity of

a symmetrical body is
along the axis of
symmetry.

Centre of gravity is
also sometimes called
centre of mass.
centres of gravity of regular shapes
If suspended, a body will come to rest with its centre
of gravity directly below the point of suspension.

Centre
of
gravity
Finding the centre of gravity of a card
Pierce the card in at least two
places.
Suspend the card from one of these
holes.
Hang a plumbline from the point of
Centre of
gravity
suspension.
Using the plumbline as a reference
draw a vertical line on the card.
Repeat for the other hole(s).
The centre of gravity is where the
lines cross on the card.
 Stability
Centre of Centre of Centre of
gravity gravity gravity

stable balanced unstable - toppling

A body is stable as long as its centre of gravity

remains vertically above its base.
If this is not the case, the body will topple.
 Question
What factors make a modern racing car as stable
as possible?

1. A wide wheel base.

2. A low centre of gravity.
 Momentum (p)
momentum = mass x velocity

p=mxv

mass is measured in kilograms (kg)

velocity is measured in metres per second (m/s)
momentum is measured in:
kilogram metres per second (kg m/s)
Momentum has both
magnitude and
direction.

Its direction is the same

as the velocity.

The greater the mass of a

rugby player the greater is
his momentum
 Question 1
Calculate the momentum of a rugby player,
mass 120kg moving at 3m/s.

p=mxv
= 120kg x 3m/s
momentum = 360 kg m/s
 Question 2
Calculate the mass of a car that when
moving at 25m/s has a momentum of
20 000 kg m/s.

p=mxv
becomes: m = p ÷ v
= 20000 kg m/s ÷ 25 m/s
mass = 800 kg
 Force and momentum

A force will cause the velocity of an object to

change and therefore also its momentum.
The greater the force the faster the momentum
changes.
 Momentum, acceleration and force
Consider a body of mass m changing velocity from u to v in time t.
acceleration = velocity change ÷ time taken
a = (v – u) / t
Multiply both sides of this equation by the mass, m gives:
ma = m (v – u) / t
ma = (mv – mu) / t
ma is equal to the force, F causing the acceleration.
and (mv – mu) is equal to the momentum change
And so:
F = (mv – mu)
t
 momentum change
force =
time taken for the change

force is measured in newtons (N)

change in momentum is measured in:
kilogram metres per second (kg
m/s)
time is measured in seconds (s)
 Question 1
Calculate the force required to change the
momentum of a car by 24000 kgm/s over a
6 second period.
force = momentum change ÷ time taken
= 24000 kgm/s ÷ 6 s
force = 4000N
 Question 2
Calculate the time taken for a force of
6000N to cause the momentum of truck to
change by 42000 kgm/s.
force = momentum change ÷ time taken
becomes:
time taken = momentum change ÷ force
= 42000 kgm/s ÷ 6000 N
force = 7 seconds
 Momentum conservation

Momentum is conserved in any collision or

explosion provided no external forces act
on the colliding or exploding bodies.

The initial momentum of the yellow car has been

conserved and transferred to the red car
Question 1
A truck of mass 0.5kg
moving at 1.2m/s collides
and remains attached to
another, initially stationary
truck of mass 1.5kg.
Calculate the common
velocity of the trucks after
the collision.
total momentum before collision
p=mxv
0.5 kg truck: = 0.5 kg x 1.2 m/s = 0.6 kg m/s
1.5 kg truck: = 1.5 kg x 0 m/s = 0 kg m/s
total initial momentum = 0.6 kg m/s
Momentum is conserved in the collision
so total momentum after collision = 0.6 kg m/s
total momentum = total mass x velocity
0.6 kg m/s = 2.0 kg x v
0.6 ÷ 2.0 = v
common velocity = 0.3 m/s
 Question 2
A train wagon of mass 800 kg moving at 4 m/s
collides and remains attached to another wagon
of mass 1200 kg that is moving in the same
direction at 2 m/s. Calculate the common velocity
of the wagons after the collision.
total momentum before collision
p=mxv
800 kg wagon: = 800 kg x 4 m/s = 3200 kg m/s
1200 kg truck: = 1200 kg x 2 m/s = 2400 kg m/s
total initial momentum = 5600 kg m/s
Momentum is conserved in the collision
so total momentum after collision = 5600 kg m/s
total momentum = total mass x velocity
5600 kg m/s = 2000 kg x v
5600 ÷ 2000 = v
common velocity = 2.8 m/s
 Head-on collisions
In this case bodies are moving in opposite directions.
Momentum has direction.
One direction is treated as positive, the other as negative.
In calculations the velocity of one of the colliding bodies
must be entered as a NEGATIVE number.

DIRECTION OF MOTION
NEGATIVE POSITIVE

+ ve - ve
velocity velocity
 Question 1
A car of mass 1000 kg moving at 20 m/s makes a
head-on collision with a lorry of mass 2000 kg
moving at 16 m/s. Calculate their common
velocity after the collision if they remain attached
to each other.
lorry, mass 2000kg
car, mass 1000kg
20 m/s 16 m/s

DIRECTION OF MOTION
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
total momentum before collision
p=mxv
car: = 1000 kg x +20 m/s = +20000 kg m/s
lorry: = 2000 kg x -16 m/s = -32000 kg m/s
total initial momentum = -12000 kg m/s
Momentum is conserved in the collision
so total momentum after collision = -12000 kg m/s
total momentum = total mass x velocity
-12000 kg m/s = 3000 kg x v
-12000 ÷ 3000 = v
common velocity = - 4 m/s
The lorry/car combination will move in the original
direction of the lorry.
 Question 2
A car of mass 1000 kg moving at 30 m/s makes a
head-on collision with a lorry of mass 2000 kg
moving at 15 m/s. Calculate their common
velocity after the collision if they remain attached
to each other.
lorry, mass 2000kg
car, mass 1000kg
30 m/s 15 m/s

DIRECTION OF MOTION
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
total momentum before collision
p=mxv
car: = 1000 kg x +30 m/s = +30000 kg m/s
lorry: = 2000 kg x -15 m/s = -30000 kg m/s
total initial momentum = 0 kg m/s
Momentum is conserved in the collision
so total momentum after collision = 0 kg m/s
The lorry/car combination will not move after
the collision.
 Energy, work and power

● Energy may be stored as kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain),

Energy

nuclear, electrostatic and internal (thermal).

 Work and energy
When a force causes a body to move through a distance,
energy is transferred and work is done.

work done = energy transferred.

Both work and energy are measured in joules (J).

 Work and friction
Work done against frictional
forces is mainly transformed into
heat.

Rubbing hands together causes

them to become warm.

Brakes pads become hot if they

are applied for too long. In this
case some of the car’s energy
may also be transferred to sound
in the form of a ‘squeal’
 The work equation
work done = force applied × distance moved in
the direction of
the force

W=Fxd

work, W is measured in joules (J)

force, F is measured in newtons (N)
distance, d is measured in metres (m)
also:
force = work done ÷ distance moved

and:
distance = work done ÷ force
W

F d
 Question 1
Calculate the work done when a force of 5N
moves through a distance of 3m.

W=Fxd
= 5N x 3m
work = 15 J
 Question 2
Calculate the work done when a force of
6N moves through a distance of 40cm.

W=Fxd
= 6 N x 40 cm
= 6 N x 0.40 m
work = 2.4 J
 Question 3
Calculate the value of the force required to
do 600J of work over a distance of 50m.

W=Fxd
becomes:
F=W÷d
= 600 J ÷ 50 m
force = 12 N
 Question 4
Calculate the distance moved by a force of
8N when it does 72J of work.

W=Fxd
becomes:
d=W÷F
= 72 J ÷ 8 N
distance moved = 9 m
 Question 5
Calculate the work done by This force is exerted
a child of weight 300N who upwards and so the
climbs up a set of stairs distance must also be
consisting of 12 steps each measured upwards.
of height 20cm. = (12 x 20cm)
= 2.4m
W=Fxd therefore:
The child must exert an work = 300 N x 2.4 m
upward force equal to its
own weight.
work = 720 J
Therefore: force = 300N
 Question 6
Calculate the work done by a person of mass 80kg who
climbs up a set of stairs consisting of 25 steps each of
height 10cm.

W=Fxd
the person must exert an upward force equal their weight
the person’s weight = (80kg x 10N/kg) = 800N
the distance moved upwards equals (10 x 25cm) = 2.5m
work = 800 N x 2.5 m
work = 2000 J
 Gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is the energy stored
in an object when work is done in moving the object
upwards.
GPE = mass x g x height
GPE = m x g x h

GPE is measured in joules (J)

mass, m is measured in kilograms (kg)
gravitational field strength, g is measured
in newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
height, h is measured in metres (m)
 Question 1
Calculate GPE gained when
a weightlifter lifts a mass of
120kg up by 2.5m.
(g = 10N/kg)

GPE = m x g x h
= 120kg x 10N/kg x 2.5m
GPE = 3000 J
 Question 2
Calculate the gravitational potential energy
gained by a student of mass 70kg climbing a
flight of stairs of height 4m.

GPE = m x g x h
= 70kg x 10N/kg x 4m
GPE = 2 800 J
 Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by a body
because of its speed and mass.

kinetic energy = ½ x mass x (speed)2

KE = ½ x m x v2

kinetic energy, KE is measured in joules (J)

mass, m is measured in kilograms (kg)
speed, v is measured in metres per second (m/s)
 Question 1
Calculate the kinetic energy of a car of mass
1000kg moving at 5 m/s.

KE = ½ x m x v2
= ½ x 1000kg x (5m/s)2
= ½ x 1000 x 25
= 500 x 25
kinetic energy = 12 500 J
 Question 2
Calculate the kinetic energy of a child of mass
60kg moving at 3 m/s.

KE = ½ x m x v2
= ½ x 60kg x (3m/s)2
= ½ x 60 x 9
= 30 x 9
kinetic energy = 270 J
 Question 3
Calculate the kinetic energy of a apple of mass
200g moving at 12m/s.

KE = ½ x m x v2
= ½ x 200g x (12m/s)2
= ½ x 0.200kg x 144
= 0.100 x 144
kinetic energy = 14.4 J
 Question 4
Calculate the mass of a train if its kinetic
energy is 2MJ when it is travelling at 4m/s.

KE = ½ x m x v2
2MJ = ½ x mass x (4m/s)2
2 000 000J = ½ x mass x 16
2 000 000 = 8 x mass
2 000 000 ÷ 8 = mass
mass = 250 000 kg
 Question 5
Calculate the speed of a car of mass 1200kg if its
kinetic energy is 15 000J.

KE = ½ x m x v2
15 000J = ½ x 1200kg x (speed)2
15 000 = 600 x (speed)2
15 000 ÷ 600 = (speed)2
25 = (speed)2
speed = 25
speed = 5 m/s
 Question 6
Calculate the speed of a ball of mass 400g if its
kinetic energy is 20J.

KE = ½ x m x v2
20J = ½ x 400g x (speed)2
20 = ½ x 0.400kg x (speed)2
20 = 0.200 x (speed)2
20 ÷ 0.200 = (speed)2
100 = (speed)2
speed = 100
speed = 10 m/s
 Question
A child of mass 40kg climbs a If air resistance is insignificant
wall of height 3m and then then all of this GPE is converted
steps off. Calculate the speed into kinetic energy
at which the child reaches the
bottom of the wall. KE = ½ x m x v2
1200 J = ½ x 40kg x (speed)2
Child’s initial gravitational 1 200 = 20 x (speed)2
potential energy:
GPE = m x g x h 1 200 ÷ 20 = (speed)2
= 40kg x 10N/kg x 3m 60 = (speed)2
GPE = 1 200 J speed = 60

speed = 7.75 m/s

 Conservation of energy
• The principle of energy conservation states that energy is
neither created nor destroyed. It may transform from one
type to another.
Energy Efficiency
 Power (P)
Power is a measurement of how quickly work is done.

power = work done

time taken

P= W
t

power, P is measured in watts (W)

work done, W is measured in joules (J)
time, t is measured in seconds (s)

One watt is the same as one joule per second.

Power is also equal to how quickly
energy is transformed from one form to
another.

power = energy change

time
P=E
t
 Question 1
Calculate the power of a motor that exerts a force
of 40N over a distance of 2m for 10seconds.

W=Fs
= 40 N x 2 m
work done = 80 J

P=W/t
= 80J / 10 s
power = 8.0 W
 Question 2
Calculate the power of an gain in GPE = m g h
electric motor that lifts a = 50 kg x 10 N/kg x 3 m
mass of 50 kg upwards by
= 1500 J
3.0 m in 20 seconds.

g = 10 N/kg P=E/t
= 1500 J / 20 s
power = 75 W
Energy Resources and
Electricity Generation
 Edexcel Specification
Section 4: Energy resources and energy transfer
d) Energy resources and electricity generation
understand the energy transfers involved in generating electricity using:
• wind
• water
• geothermal resources
• solar heating systems
• solar cells
• fossil fuels
• nuclear power
describe the advantages and disadvantages of methods of large-scale
electricity production from various renewable and non-renewable resources.
 Renewable and non-renewable
energy sources
A renewable energy resource is one that will
not run out.
Renewable energy sources do not produce
radioactive waste, greenhouse gases or acid rain.
Examples include wind, hydroelectric, wave, tidal,
solar and geothermal.

Fossil fuels such as coal. gas and oil as well as

uranium are non-renewable energy sources.
 Wind power
Wind is used to rotate a
turbine (the blades) which
turns an electrical
generator.

A wind farm

Energy changes:
kinetic
to electrical
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable energy source • Unreliable – needs wind!
• No greenhouse gases • Best used in places where
• No acid rain they will often be regarded
• No radioactive waste as unsightly
• Inexpensive to build • Many turbines are needed
• Short start up time to produce the same
energy of a small thermal
power station
• Noise
• Danger to wildlife
 Hydroelectric power
Falling water is used to
drive a turbine which
rotates an electrical
generator.

Energy changes:
gravitational potential
to kinetic
to electrical
Hydroelectric power station
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Very limited locations
• No greenhouse gases • Wildlife affected
• No acid rain • Expensive to build
• No radioactive waste
• Short start up time

The Hoover Dam near Las Vegas

 Wave power
Waves can be used to
drive an electrical
generator.

Energy changes:
kinetic
to electrical
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Unreliable
• No greenhouse gases • Can only be used in areas
• No acid rain with suitable waves
• No radioactive waste • Prone to storm damage
• No land needed • Many needed to produce
• Short start up time the same energy of a small
thermal power station
• Danger to shipping
 Tidal power
Moving water caused by
the tides is used to drive a
turbine directly which
rotates an electrical
generator.

Energy changes:
gravitational potential
to kinetic
to electrical
Tidal power station at
La Rance, Brittany
Tidal power station
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Very limited locations
• No greenhouse gases • Wildlife affected
• No acid rain • Expensive to build
• No radioactive waste
• Short start up time

Proposed Severn Estuary Tidal

Power Scheme
 Geothermal energy
In some volcanic areas hot
water and steam rise to the
surface. The steam can be
tapped and used to drive
turbines. This is known as
geothermal energy.

Energy changes:
thermal (heat)
to kinetic
to electrical
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Very limited locations
• No greenhouse gases • Expensive to build
• No acid rain
• No radioactive waste
• Short start up time
Solar heating
Heat energy from the Sun
is focussed onto pipes
containing water. The
water boils producing
steam. The steam is then
used to drive turbines
which turn electrical
generators.

Energy changes:
thermal
to kinetic
to electrical
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Sunshine needed and
• No greenhouse gases so best in desert
• No acid rain regions
• No radioactive waste • Can only be used
during the day
• A large amount of land
is needed to produce a
significant amount of
energy
 Solar cells
Electricity produced
directly from the Sun’s
radiation.

Energy changes:
light
to electrical
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Renewable • Unreliable in the UK! –
• No greenhouse gases sunshine is needed for
• No acid rain solar cells
• No radioactive waste • Can only be used during
• Instant start up time the day
• Only 10% of solar energy
is converted into electricity
by solar cells
• Many cells needed to
produce a significant
amount of energy
 Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels include coal, oil and
natural gas.

They have been formed in the

ground from dead vegetation and
tiny creatures by a process that
has taken millions of years.

When burnt the heat energy

produced is used to produce
steam. The steam is then used to Energy changes:
drive turbines which turn thermal
electrical generators. to kinetic
to electrical
Coal-fired power station
TRIPLE ONLY

Problems with fossil fuels

Burning coal, gas and oil produces carbon
dioxide. This is a greenhouse gas which
causes global warming.
Fossil fuel burning can also produce sulfur
dioxide gas. This can dissolve in water and
produce acid rain which causes damage to
forests and buildings. Modern power stations
remove most sulfur dioxide producing
compounds before burning.
An effect of
Fossil fuels are not renewable. They are
acid rain
running out. Estimates vary between 50 to
200 years to when we will need to find
alternative sources of energy.
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Concentrated energy • Non-renewable
source • Produces greenhouse
• Reliable energy source gases and contributes
• Can be built anywhere to global warming
• No radioactive waste • Produces acid rain
 Nuclear power
Nuclear power stations use a
certain type of uranium to produce
heat energy.

This heat energy is used to

produce steam. The steam is then
used to drive turbines which turn
electrical generators.
uranium fuel rods
Energy changes:
nuclear
to thermal
to kinetic
to electrical
A nuclear reactor
TRIPLE ONLY

Problems with nuclear power stations

Nuclear fuel (uranium) does not produce
greenhouse gases and it generates
10000 times more energy per kilogram
than fossil fuels.
However:
Nuclear waste is radioactive and may
have to be stored safely for thousands of
years.
Although safe in normal operation,
accidents can release radioactive
material over a large area. The area
around Chernobyl in Ukraine has been
closed off since 1986.
The destroyed Chernobyl
nuclear reactor
TRIPLE ONLY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Concentrated energy • Non-renewable
source • Radioactive waste
• Reliable energy source • Expensive to build
• Can be built anywhere • Technology is related
• No greenhouse gases to that needed to make
• No acid rain atomic bombs
 Pressure, p
pressure = force
area

p=F
A
units:
force, F – newtons (N)
area, A – metres squared (m2)
pressure, p – pascals (Pa)
also:
force = pressure x area
F
and:
area = force
pressure p A

Note:
1 Pa is the same as 1 newton per square metre (N/m2)
 Question 1
Calculate the pressure exerted by a force of
200N when applied over an area of 4m2.

p=F/A
= 200N / 4m2
pressure = 50 Pa
 Question 2
Calculate the force exerted by a gas of pressure
150 000 Pa on an object of surface area 3m 2.

p=F/A
becomes:
F=pxA
= 150 000 Pa x 3 m2
force = 450 000 N
 Question 3
Calculate the area that will experience a force of
6000N from a liquid exerting a pressure of 300kPa.

p=F/A
becomes:
A=F/p
= 6000 N ÷ 300 kPa
= 6000 N ÷ 300 000 Pa
area = 0.02 m2
 Pressure exerted by a block question
The metal block, shown opposite, has a
weight of 900 000N. Calculate the maximum
and minimum pressures it can exert when
placed on one of its surfaces.
2m

Maximum pressure occurs when the block is

placed on its smallest area surface (2m x 3m)
p=F/A
5m
= 900 000N / 6m2 3m
Maximum pressure = 150 000 Pa

Minimum pressure occurs when the block is

placed on its largest area surface (3m x 5m)
p=F/A
= 900 000N / 15m2
Minimum pressure = 60 000 Pa
 Why off-road vehicles have
large tyres or tracks

In both cases the area of contact with the ground is maximised.

This causes the pressure to be minimised as:
pressure = vehicle weight ÷ area
Lower pressure means that the vehicle does not sink into the
ground.
Pressure in liquids and gases
The pressure in a
liquid or a gas at a
particular point
acts equally in all
directions.

At the same depth in the

liquid the pressure is the
same in all directions
The pressure in a
liquid or a gas
increases with
depth

The pressure of the liquid

increases with depth
 Pressure, height or depth equation
pressure difference = height × density ×g

p=h×ρ×g

units:
height or depth, h – metres (m)
density, ρ – kilograms per metres cubed (kg/m3)
gravitational field strength, g
– newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
pressure difference, p – pascals (Pa)
 Question 1
Calculate the pressure increase at the
bottom of a swimming pool of depth 2m.
Density of water = 1000 kg/m3
g = 10 N/kg

pressure difference = h × ρ × g
= 2m x 1000 kg/m3 x 10 N/kg
pressure increase = 20 000 Pa
 Question 2
At sea level the (a) p = h × ρ × g
atmosphere has a
density of 1.3 kg/m3. becomes:
(a) Calculate the h = p / (ρ × g)
thickness (height) of = 100 kPa / (1.3 kg/m3 x 10 N/kg)
atmosphere required = 100 000 / (1.3 x 10)
to produce the = 100 000 / 13
average sea level
pressure of 100kPa. height = 7 692 m (7.7 km)
(b) Why is the actual
height much greater? (b) The real atmosphere’s density
decreases with height.
g = 10 N/kg The atmosphere extends to at
least a height of 100 km.
Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:
Pressure is equal to _______
force divided by ______.
area

Pressure is measured in _______

pascal (Pa) where one pascal is the
same as one newton per ________
square metre.
The pressure of the Earth’s ___________
atmosphere at sea-level is
approximately 100 000 Pa.
Pressure increases with ______
depth below the surface of liquid.
Under _______
water the pressure increases by about one
atmosphere for every ______
ten metres of depth.

WORD SELECTION:
square depth force atmosphere
water area ten pascal