Hussain Ahmad Madni Uppal +92334 – 4140594

UNIT 7

PRESSURE
Compiled by: Hussain Ahmad Madni Uppal (O, A level teacher)

Contents of this chapter in relation to syllabus 5054.

7. Pressure
Content
7.1 Pressure
7.2 Pressure changes
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
(a) define the term pressure in terms of force and area, and do calculations using the equation pressure =
force/area.
(b) explain how pressure varies with force and area in the context of everyday examples.
(c) describe how the height of a liquid column may be used to measure the atmospheric pressure.
(d) explain quantitatively how the pressure beneath a liquid surface changes with depth and density of the liquid
in appropriat e examples.
(e) do calculations using the equation for hydrostatic pressure p = ρgh.
(f) describe the use of a manomet er in the measurement of pressure difference.
(g) describe and explain the transmission of pressure in hydraulic systems with particular reference to the
hydraulic press and hydraulic brakes on vehicles.
(h) describe how a change in volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature is caused by a change in
pressure applied to the gas.
(i) do calculations using p1V 1 = p2V 2.

Pressure

Figure 7.1

Blocks A and B in figure 7.1 are resting on soft ground. Both weigh the same and exert the same force on
the ground. But the force of block B is spread over the larger area, so the force on each square metre is
reduced. The pressure under block B is less than that under block A.

For a force acting at right angles to a surface, the pressure is calculated like this:

𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆
𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
𝑭
In symbols: 𝒑=𝑨

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If force is measured in newtons (N) and area in square metres (𝑚2 ), pressure is measured in
newton/square metre (𝑁/𝑚 −2 ). 1 𝑁/𝑚−2 is called 1 pascal (Pa).

If a 100 N force is spread over an area of 1𝑚2 , the pressure is 100 Pa

If a 100 N force is spread over an area of 2𝑚2 , the pressure is 50 Pa
If a 100 N force is spread over an area of 0.2𝑚2 , the pressure is 500 Pa
If a 200 N force is spread over an area of 0.2𝑚2 , the pressure is 1000 Pa

For most pressure measurements, the pascal is a very small unit. In practical situations, it is often more
convenient to use the kilopascal (kPa). (1 kPa = 1000 Pa).

Increasing the pressure by reducing the area Reducing the pressure by increasing the area

Figure 7.2 Changing pressure by chnaging area

Typical Pressures

Figure 7.3 More area – less Figure 7.4 Area decreased – Figure 7.5 Least area –
pressure pressure increased maximum pressure

Worked example 7.1

The wind pressure on a wall is 100 Pa. if the wall has an area of 6 𝑚2 . What is the force on it?
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Solution:
To solve this problem, we need to rearrange the pressure equation:

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 × 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

= 100 × 6
= 600 N
So the force on the wall is 600 N.

Worked example 7.2

A concrete block has a mass of 2600 kg. If the block measures 0.5 m by 1.0 m by 2.0 m, what is the
maximum pressure it can exert when resting on the ground? (g = 10𝑁/𝑘𝑔).

Solution:
As g = 10𝑁/𝑘𝑔, the 2600 kg block has a weight of 26000 N, so the force on the ground is also 26000 N.
To exert maximum pressure, the block must be resting on the side with the smallest area. This is the side
measuring 1.0 m × 0.5 m.
Its area = 1.0 m × 0.5 m = 0.5 𝑚2 , so:

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 26000
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = = = 52000 𝑃𝑎
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 0.5

So, the maximum pressure is 52000 Pa, or 52 kPa.

Atmospheric Pressure
Under normal conditions, there are a large number of molecules in the atmosphere and these molecules
move with high velocities. This large number of molecules makes frequent collisions with the walls of the
container. When molecules hit the wall, they rebound from the wall. A force is said to act on the wall by
the molecules. The force per unit area exerted by the molecules on the wall is then the pressure exerted by
the molecules of the air.

The pressure exerted by the air molecules at sea level is 1.013 × 105 Pa. This value is sometimes referred
to as 1 atmosphere. This pressure is almost equivalent to placing a 1 kg (10 N) mass on an area of 1𝑐𝑚2 .

The pressure within our bodies is also about the same pressure as 1 atmosphere. That is why we do not
feel the high atmospheric pressure exerted on us. However, miners who enter mines kilometers below s ea
level face breathing difficulties. The atmospheric pressure in such mines can be quite high while the
pressure within their bodies is still about 1 atmosphere. This causes difficulty in expanding the lungs when
breathing. On the other hand, climbers at high altitude encounter lower atmospheric pressure due to the
thinner air. The thinner air causes breathing difficulties due to the lower level of oxygen.

The atmosphere is a deep ocean of air which surrounds the Earth. In some ways, it is like a liquid:

 Its pressure acts in all directions

 Its pressure becomes less as you rise up through it (because there is less and less weight above).

Unlike a liquid, air can be compressed (squashed). This makes the atmosphere denser at lower levels. The
atmosphere stretches hundreds of kilometers into space, yet the bulk of the air lies within about 10
kilometres of the Earth’s surface.
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Figure 7.6 Pressure from inside is equal Figure 7.7 Can is crushed when no
to the pressure from outside pressure from inside
Demonstrating atmospheric pressure (figure 7.6,7.7)
When the air is removed from the can, there is nothing to resist the outside pressure, and the can is
crushed.

Using Atmospheric Pressure

In this section, we will see three simple applications of atmospheric pressure in our daily life.

Sucking
The action of sucking increases the volume of lungs, thereby
reducing the air pressure in the lungs and the mouth (figure 7.8).
The atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the liquid will
then be greater than the pressure in the mouth, thus forcing the
liquid to rise up the straw into the mouth.

Figure 7.8
Syringe
To draw liquid into the syringe, as shown in figure 7.9, the piston of
the syringe is drawn upwards. This decreases the pressure within
the cylinder. Atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the
liquid drives the liquid into the cylinder through the nozzle.

Figure 7.9 Syringe

Rubber Sucker
Rubber suckers are used at homes to hang clothes, as shown in
figure 7.10. To put the sucker in place, the suckers are pressed in to
force out the air within to create a partial vacuum. The greater
external atmospheric pressure acts on it to keep it in place.

Figure 7.10 Rubber sucker

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Pressure in liquids
Consider a tall vessel of water with side tubes fitted at different heights (figure 7.11). Water spurts out
furthest from outlet 3. In turn, outlet 2 spurts water further than outlet 1. This shows that liquid pressure
increases with depth.

Figure 7.11 Pressure in a liquid Figure 7.12 Pressure due to a

depends on depth liquid of height h

Let us find out how to determine the pressure at a certain depth of liquid. Consider a column of liquid of
height 𝑕, base area 𝐴 and density 𝜌, as shown in figure 7.12. The volume 𝑉 of the liquid is given
𝑉=𝐴𝑕
The mass of the liquid is given by
𝑚= 𝜌𝑉
The weight of the liquid column is given by
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
= 𝜌 𝑉 𝑔
= 𝜌 𝐴𝑕 𝑔
The pressure at the base of the liquid column is
𝑊
𝑝=
𝐴
𝜌𝐴𝑕𝑔
=
𝐴

𝑝 = 𝜌𝑕𝑔

From this equation, we deduce that the pressure in the liquid depends on the depth of the liquid and the
density of the liquid.

One consequence of the fact that pressure depends only on height is that the liquid always finds its own
level. This is demonstrated in figure 7.13.

Figure 7.13 A liquid finds its own level

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The liquid will always settle to a common level. If any level is higher than the other, the excess pressure
difference will force it, to drop. Indeed, at equilibrium, at any point along the same depth, 𝑕, e.g. points P,
Q and R, the pressure must be the same.

Worked example 7.3

Find the pressure acting on a diver when he is

I. At the surface
II. 10 m in the water
Density of water 𝜌 = 1000 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 ; acceleration due to gravity, 𝑔 = 10 𝑚 𝑠 −2 ; atmospheric
pressure, 𝑝0 = 1.01 × 105 Pa.

Solution:

I. At the surface, only atmospheric pressure 𝑝0 acts on him. Usually 𝑝0 = 1.01 × 105 Pa.
II. At 10 m in water, i.e. 𝑕 = 10 m, then the pressure acting on him is
𝑝 = 𝑝0 + 𝑕𝜌𝑔
= 𝑝0 + 10 × 1000 × 10
= 1.01 × 105 + 1.00 × 105
= 2.01 × 105 Pa

The pressure acting on him is found to be about twice the atmospheric pressure. Note that 10 m of
water gives a pressure of about 1.00 × 105 Pa which is about 1 atmospheric pressure.

Worked example 7.4

A rectangular block of cross sectional area 𝐴 of 25 𝑐𝑚2 is
submerged in water of density 1000 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 as shown in figure
7.14.
a) Find
i) The pressure 𝑝1 due to the water only acting on the
top surface,
Figure 7.14
ii) The pressure 𝑝2 due to water only acting on the bottom surface.

(Take acceleration due to gravity, 𝑔 = 10 𝑚 𝑠 −2 .)

b) Calculate
i) The force exerted by the water on the top surface,
ii) The force exerted by the water on the bottom surface.

Solution:

a) Given: density of water 𝜌 = 1000 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3

i) Pressure due to water only 𝑝1 = 𝑕1 𝜌 𝑔
= 0.05 × 1000 × 10
= 5.0 × 102 Pa
ii) Pressure due to water only 𝑝2 = 𝑕2 𝜌 𝑔
= 0.07 × 1000 × 10
= 7.0 × 102 Pa
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b) Given: area A = 20 𝑐𝑚2 = 2.5 × 10−3 𝑚2

𝐹
From equation 𝑝 = 𝐴
∴𝐹 = 𝑝𝐴
i) Force on top surface due to water only is
𝐹1 = 𝑝1 𝐴
= 5.0 × 102 × 2.5 × 10−3
= 1.25 N
ii) Force on bottom surface due to water only is
𝐹2 = 𝑝2 𝐴
= 7.0 × 102 × 2.5 × 10−3
= 1.75 N

Note:
In worked example 7.4 the magnitude of the force acting on the bottom surface is found to be greater
than that acting on the top surface. The difference is known as the upthrust, i.e. net upward force acting
on the object. You must have experienced feeling lighter when you are swimming in a pool. This effect is
due to the upthrust acting on you.

The following properties apply to any stationary liquid in an open container. Figure 7.15, 7.18, 7.19
demonstrate three of them.

Pressure acts in all directions:

The liquid pushes on every surface in contact with it, no matter
which way the surface is facing. For example, in figure 7.16 the
deep sea vessel has to withstand the crushing effect of sea water
pushing in on it from all sides, not just downwards.

Figure 7.15 Pressure acts

in all directions

Figure 7.16 Deep sea vessel has to withstand the crushing effect of sea
water pushing in on it from all sides, not just downwards.
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Pressure increases with depth:

The deeper into a liquid you go, the greater the weight of the liquid above and the higher the
pressure. Dams are made thicker at the bottom to withstand the higher pressure there. (see
figure 7.17 )

Figure 7.17 Dams are made thicker at the bottom to withstand Figure 7.18 Pressure
the higher pressure increases with depth

Pressure depends on the density of the liquid:

The more dense the liquid, the higher the pressure at any particular depth.

Pressure doesn’t depend on the shape of the container:

Whatever the shape or width, the pressure at any particular
depth is the same.

Figure 7.19 The pressure at

points A,B,C and D is the same

Useful connections:
For calculations, students need to know the connections between certain quantities such as
𝑘𝑔
Volume (in 𝑚 3), density (in 3 ), mass (in kg), weight (in N), g (10N/kg)
𝑚

For example, you might know the volume and density of a liquid, but needs to find its weight. For this, the equations
required are:
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = , 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑔
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

From these equations, it follows that:

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 × 𝑔

Hydraulic Machines
In some machines, the forces are transmitted by liquids under pressure rather than by levers or gears.
Machines like this are called hydraulic machines.

They make use of these properties of liquids:

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 Liquids are virtually incompressible – they cannot be squashed.

 If a trapped liquid is put under pressure, the pressure is transmitted to all parts of the liquid.

Hydraulic Brakes

Figure 7.20 Hydraulic braking system

Car brakes work hydraulically. The diagram above (figure 7.20) shows the principle. When the brake pedal
is pressed, a piston forces brake fluid from one cylinder along the connecting pipe to another cylinder.
There, the fluid pushes on another piston. This presses a brake pad against a metal disc attached to the
rotating wheel of the car. The friction slows the wheel.

In practical braking systems, there are pipes to all four wheels, pads on either side of each di sc as shown in
the figure 7.21 and usually ‘power assistance’ as well.

Figure 7.21 Hydraulic braking system

Hydraulic Jack
A load is easier to lift if you use a jack. Figure 7.22 shows a simple jack.

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Figure 7.22 Hydraulic Jack

A downward force on the input piston puts pressure on the oil. The pressure is transmitted by the oil. It
produces a large upward force on the output piston.

Knowing the input force and piston areas, the output force can be calculated:

In the input cylinder:

An input force of 12 N acts on an area of 0.01 𝑚2 .
𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 12
So: pressure on oil = = 0.01 = 1200 Pa.
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

In the connecting pipe:

The pressure, 1200 Pa, is transmitted by the oil.

In the output cylinder:

The pressure of 1200 Pa acts on a piston of area 0.1 𝑚2 .

So: output force = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 × 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 1200 × 0.1 = 120 N.

A force multiplier With the jack discussed earlier, you put in a force of 12 N and you get out a
force of 120N. The jack is a force multiplier. In this case, it multiplies the input force by a factor of 10. But
𝟏
there is a price to pay for the gain in force: the output piston is raised only of the distance that the
𝟏𝟎
input piston is pushed down.

The calculation of output force assumes that the jack is frictionless. In a real jack, there is friction to
overcome. This reduces the output force.

For a frictionless jack:

𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
=
𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
In the case of jack above:
120 𝑁 0.1 𝑚2
=
12 𝑁 0.01𝑚 2

Barometer
Instruments that measure atmospheric pressure are called barometers.

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Simple Mercury Barometer

We have deduced that liquid pressure is simply
proportional to the depth of the liquid. We can
apply this fact to construct a barometer. The simple
mercury barometer consists of a thick walled glass
tube of about 1 metre in length with one end sealed
(figure 7.23).
The space above the mercury column in the tube is
Figure 7.23 A simple mercury barometer
a vacuum. Since it is a vacuum, it exerts no pressure
on the top surface of the mercury column. The height of the mercury column is about 760 mm. To find out
why the height of the column is about 760 mm, we must realize that atmospheric pressure is acting on the
surface of the mercury in the trough. For equilibrium, the pressure along the horizontal line AA’ (figure
7.23) must have the same pressure, i.e. the pressure at B must also be at atmospheric pressure, say
1.013 × 105 Pa. the pressure at B, 𝑝0 is due wholly to the column of mercury of density 𝜌 = 13.6 ×
103 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 and height 𝑕 in metres.

Hence

𝑝0 = 𝑕𝜌𝑔 = 1.013 × 105 Pa

𝑝0 1.013 × 105
∴𝑕 = =
𝜌𝑔 13.6 × 103 × 9.81

= 0.760 𝑚

= 760 𝑚𝑚

We find that the height of the column is indeed 760 mm of mercury.

Very often, atmospheric pressure is not expressed in terms of Pascal (Pa) but in terms of the height of the
column of mercury. For instance, we can express 1 atmosphere as 760 mm Hg, or 76 cm Hg. To convert
mm Hg to Pa, we multiply 10−3 𝑚 Hg by the density of mercury, 𝜌𝐻𝑔 in 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 and the acceleration due
to gravity, 𝑔 in 𝑚 𝑠 −2 .

When a simple mercury barometer is brought to a place of lower atmospheric pressure (for example, to an
elevated region like Himalayas), the column of mercury will be less. This is so because the pressure at point
B (figure 7.23) must be the same as the pressure acting on the surface of the mercury in the trough.

It must be noted that the vertical height of the mercury is dependant only o n the pressure outside the
tube. It does not depend on the tilt of the column. Figure 7.23(b) shows the barometer being tilted but the
vertical height 𝑕, of the mercury column remains unaffected. Of course, if the tube is lowered below 760
mm, the mercury would completely fill the tube as in figure 7.23 (c)

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Worked example 7.5

Find the pressure at A, B, C and D as shown in figure 7.24.

Solution:
To find the pressure at A, 𝑝𝐴 , notice that the space above the
mercury is a vacuum.
∴ 𝑝𝐴 = 0

From the ruler readings, we have 𝑕1 = 46 𝑐𝑚, 𝑕2 =

76𝑐𝑚, 𝑕3 = 86𝑐𝑚
Hence,
Figure 7.24
Pressure at B, 𝑝𝐵 = 46 cm Hg
Pressure at C, 𝑝𝐶 = 76 cm Hg
Pressure at D, 𝑝𝐷 = 86 cm Hg

Pressure in Gases
Pressure - Volume (P-V) Relationship of a Gas
The apparatus in figure 7.25 can be used to find the
relationship between pressure and volume of a gas.
The gas to be investigated is trapped in the syringe. To
compress the gas, the piston is pushed inwards to
increase the pressure. The pressure is measured by the Figure 7.25 Determining the P – V
pressure gauge. The volume of gas can be read off the relationship of a gas at constant
scale calibrated on the tube. temperature
The relationship between pressure and volume was first investigated by Robert Boyle in 1660. He found
that the pressure of a fixed amount of gas is inversely proportional to the volume of the gas when the
temperature is held constant. Mathematically we can express this as

1
𝑝 ∝
𝑉
𝑘
or 𝑝= 𝑉

i.e. 𝑝𝑉 = 𝑘, where 𝑘 is a constant

or 𝑝1 𝑉1 = 𝑝2 𝑉2

where
𝑝1 , 𝑝2 are the initial and final pressures,
𝑉1 , 𝑉2 are the initial and final volumes respectively.
When a graph of 𝑝 against 𝑉 is plotted, the result is a smooth curve as in figure 7.26. However, if 𝑝 is
1
plotted against , a straight line results (figure 7.27).
𝑉

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Figure 7.26 Graph of P vs V is 1

Figure 7.27 Graph of P vs
A smooth curve 𝑉
is a straight line

How can we explain that the pressure is inversely proportional to the volume?

We have seen that pressure is due to bombardment of the molecules on the walls of the container. Now
when the volume of the container is decreased to say half, the number of molecules per unit volume will
be doubled. This would mean that the number of collisions of the molecules with the walls will also be
doubled. Hence the pressure will double. In fact, by the same deduction, if the volume becomes one third
of the original volume, the pressure will be three times the initial pressure. Thus we see that the pressure
𝑝 is inversely proportional to volume 𝑉.

Worked example 7.6

Air at a pressure of 1.0 × 105 Pa is contained in a cylinder fitted with a piston. The air is now compressed
by pushing the piston, so that the same mass of air now one-fifth the original volume without any change
in temperature. Calculate the pressure on air.

Solution:

Given:
Initial pressure, 𝑝1 = 1.0 × 105 Pa

Let initial volume be 𝑉1 , so the final volume

1
𝑉2 = 5 𝑉1
Figure 7.28 Kinetic model of gases can be
Since 𝑝1 𝑉1 = 𝑝2 𝑉2 where 𝑝2 = final pressure used to explain why pressure of a gas is
inversely proportional to volume

𝑝1 𝑉1 𝑝1 𝑉1
∴ 𝑝2 = =
𝑉2 1
𝑉
5 1

= 5𝑝1
= 5 × 1.0 × 105
= 5.0 × 105 Pa

The final pressure is now 5.0 × 105 Pa. Note that when gas is compressed, volume decreases and the
pressure increases.

Worked example 7.7

Figure 7.29 shows a syringe, calibrated in centimeters with a gas tight piston. The cross -sectional area of
the syringe is 10 𝑐𝑚2 . The syringe contains a mass of gas with pressure 100 kPa, and the reading on the

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scale is 3.00 cm. What must the scale reading be if the pressure is to be reduced to 60 kPa at constant
temperature?

Solution:
Given:
Initial pressure 𝑝1 = 100 kPa = 1.00 × 105 Pa
Final pressure 𝑝2 = 60 kPa = 0.60 × 105 Pa
Initial volume 𝑉1 = 3.00 × 10 𝑐𝑚3 Figure 7.29
Let 𝑙 be the scale reading for the final pressure

Final volume 𝑉2 = 𝑙 × 10 𝑐𝑚3

𝑝 1 𝑉1
Since 𝑝1 𝑉1 = 𝑝2 𝑉2 , ∴ 𝑉2 = 𝑉2

1.00 × 105 × 3.00 × 10

=
0.60 × 105

= 5.00 × 10 𝑐𝑚3
𝑉2
∴𝑙=
10

= 5.00 cm

The scale reading is at 5.00 cm. Note that since the final pressure is less than the initial pressure, the
volume must be greater than that initially.

Measuring Gas Pressure – The Manometer

A useful instrument for measuring gas pressure is the manometer. The manometer consists of a U-tube
containing a column of liquid (figure 7.30). The liquid can be mercury, water or oil.

Figure 7.30

When the manometer is not connected to any gas supply (figure 7.30 (a)), only atmospheric pressure 𝑝0
acts on both surfaces of the liquid A and B. The liquid must settle at the common level since the pressure is
the same at both ends. On connecting the manometer to a gas supply (figure 7.30 (b)), the gas would exert
the pressure on the surface of the liquid at B. If the pressure is greater than the atmospheric pressure, it
will drive the liquid level at B downwards.

At equilibrium, the pressures at C and at B must be equal, since they are located at the same horizontal
level.

The gas pressure at B, 𝑝𝐵 , is given by

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𝑝𝐵 = atmospheric pressure + pressure due to column AC.

∴ 𝑝𝐵 = 𝑝0 + 𝑕𝜌𝑔

Where 𝑕 = length of column AC

𝜌 = density of liquid used.

Worked example 7.8

Figure 7.31 shows a manometer containing mercury of
density 𝜌 = 13.6 × 103 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 , connected to a gas
supply. Calculate the pressure of the gas supply in units
cm Hg and Pa. (Take acceleration due to gravity, 𝑔 = 10
𝑚 𝑠 −2 ; atmospheric pressure = 76 cm Hg.)

Figure 7.31
Solution:

Given:
length of column AC, 𝑕 = 5 cm = 0.05 m.
Atmospheric pressure, 𝑝0 = 76 cm Hg.
𝑝𝐵 = 𝑝0 + pressure due to mercury column AC
= 76 + 5
= 81 cm Hg
To convert cm Hg to Pa,
𝑝𝐵 = 𝑕𝜌𝑔
= 81 × 10−2 𝑚 × 13.6 × 103 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 × (10 𝑚 𝑠 −2 )
= 1.1 × 105 Pa

Worked example 7.9

Water of depth 10m exerts a pressure equal to atmospheric pressure. An air bubble rises to the surface of
the lake which is 20m deep. When the bubble reaches the surface, its volume is 6𝑐𝑚3 .

Figure 7.32
What is the volume of the air bubble at the bottom of the lake?
A. 2𝑐𝑚3
B. 3𝑐𝑚3
C. 12𝑐𝑚3
D. 18𝑐𝑚3

Solution: A by Boyle’s law, 𝑃1 𝑉1 = 𝑃2 𝑉2

𝑃2 𝑉2 10 6
𝑉1 = = = 2𝑐𝑚3
𝑃1 (20 + 10)
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Note:
Since pressure is proportional to height when both density and 𝑔 are constant. We can use the height for
the pressure here.

Worked example 7.10

A partially inflated balloon is placed under a bell jar Figure 7.33 (diagram1).

Figure 7.33

After the vacuum pump is been turned on for several minutes, the volume of the balloon has increased
(diagram2).
Which pressure change has occurred within the bell jar and within the balloon?

Pressure change in the Pressure change in

bell jar the balloon
A. Decrease Decrease
B. Decrease Increase
C. Increase Decrease
D. Increase Increase

Solution: A. Since air is removed from the bell jar, the air pressure in the bell jar decreases. The
pressure difference between the bell jar and the balloon causes the balloon to expand. According to
Boyle’s law, the air pressure in the balloon decreases when the volu me increases.

Note:
The balloon will stop expanding when both the bell jar and balloon have the same pressure.

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