Observ r Examples : ..

a ion/experimentation/analysis 11 y at rest \Vk1

Student led . 1. A grass roller i01t1a '-l
. experiments (reasoning to be
given by children individually) 11 d begins to move. ,
lnvestigat h
pu e , h ball ,
. e t e effect on pressure when 2. A fielder when catc es a ' stops
Walking on fl t h
b a s oes and pointed heels on our moving ball.
ody support system
0
'. ' e~amp/e: Children reasoning as to why is
3. A moving car slows down on apply-
it easier to h
ammer a sharp pin respective to
brakes on it. .
a blunt pin? 4. A push on a swinging girl speeds Up '
swing. ' ·
5_ A player when applies for:e by h
Turning effect of force (moment of force): hockey stick on the ball, the direction
concept, definition and calculation motion of ball changes.
Pressure
• Definition • Unit
When force is applied as stretch 0
• Calculation of pressure in simple cases squeeze on a body which is not free to mov
• Pressure exerted by liquids (Qualitative only) it changes the size or shape of the body.
• Pressure exerte d bYgases - Atmospheric
Examples:
pressure (qualitative only)
1. On stretching a rubber string, its lenm
FORCE increases.
We have read that a body which does not 2. On squeezing a ·tube of gum, its sha~
change its position with respect to its changes.
surroundings is said to be at rest or stationary, Thus, we define force as below : I

whereas a body which changes its position with

Force is that cause which changes the state of a,
respect to its surroundings is said to be in motion
or a moving body. body (either the state of rest or the state of
motion) or changes the size or shape of the body.
A force is a cause (push or pull) which tends
to result in movement or change in size or shape
of the body. A force when applied as push or
pull on a stationary body which is free to move, I. The speed of a body is defined as the distance1
can produce motion in i~ and if applied on a travelled by it in one second.

moving body, it can change the speed of motion 2. Speed up means more distance travelled in one
of body (i.e. can speed up or slow down the second and slow down means less distance
travelled in one second.
moving body) or it can change both the speed
and direction of motion. Similarly, the shape Note : 1. A force does not change w,
or size of a non-rigid body can also be changed mass of the body on which it is applied.
by applying a force. However if an object does 2. We cannot see a force. However,
not move on application of force or its size and can see or feel the effect of a force.
shape does not change, then in the language of · A force is expressed by stating both
Physics we say that force applied is not fruitful. magrutude and direction.
38 [Concise PHYSICS - Middle Sch~

j
 4. A force is represented by an arrow
( ). The length of arrow is a measure of its
magnitude and the arrow head shows the I . A body in which the inter-spacing betwe~n its ·
direction. constituent particles do not change when a force is ·
UNIT OF FORCE applied on it, is called a rigid body and if it chang~, the
body is called a non-rigid body.
The S.1. unit of force is newton. The
2. A force when applied on a rigid body can cause
symbol for newton is N. This unit is named
only change in motion of the body. But a force when
after the English scientist Sir Issac Newton
applied on a non-rigid body can cause both change in its
who did a lot of research work on force. size or shape and motion in it.
One newton is defined as the force which
TURNING EFFECT OF A FORCE
when applied on a moving body of mass 1 kg
in the direction of its motion, increases its We have read above that if a force is
speed by 1 m in one second. applied on a stationary rigid body, it starts
moving in a straight line in the direction of
We have read that our earth attracts each
force as shown in Fig. 3.2. In Fig. 3.2, a ball
body towards it. The force of attraction exerted
moves on pushing.
on a body by earth is called the weight of the
body or the force of gravity that acts on the body. F Push

The force of gravity (or weight) of a body

/ - - - Direction of motion
is different at different places on earth. At a
place, the force of gravity on a body of mass Fig. 3.2 A ball moves on pushing
1 kg is called 1 kgf or 10 N. In other words, Now if the body is not free to move, but
1 N is the force of gravity at a place on 0-1 kg it is pivoted at a point O and a force F is
(100 g) mass. Thus, the unit of force kgf and applied at a suitable point A, it begins to turn
N are related as : about the point O (Fig. 3.3). The vertical axis
1 kgf = 10 N (nearly)* passing through the
; Axis of rotation
point O about I
In other words, one newton is the force I

which the body

that we have to exert to hold a mass of 100 g
turns, is called the
on our palm (Fig. 3.1).
axis of rotation. In
1N
Fig. 3.3, on
pushing, the wheel
begins to turn
about its pivoted Fig. 3.3 Turning of a wheel
point 0. about the pivot, on pushing

Fig. 3.1 Force of 1 N on a mass of 100 g Similarly, when th~ handle of a door is
to hold it either pushed or pulled, the door begins to tum
about the hinges which hold the door at rest.
* Precisely 1 kgf = 9·8 N

~ ce and Pressure t - 1- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -' 39

 Thus, a force (push the force rnay be. Thus, the handle
effect on a b d . or pull) has a turning provided near the free end of the d
. 0 Y which i ho
straight line b . s notJ,ee to move in a that a smaller. force at a 1°C1r aro
which it c ' ut is pivoted at a point about erpendicular d 1stance, produc c:.
an tum P . a: f es t
FACTORS . required turn1ng euect o force to Cl
OF A BODY AFFECTING THE TURNING or shut the door.
_ The upper ci:cular ~tone of a h
The turning ff 2
depends on th e ec~ of a force on a body flour grinder 1s provided with a h
e followmg two factors : H near its rirn (i.e. at the maxi
1 · The
L mag 01·t u d e of the force applied. distance from centre) so that it can :
arge: the magnitude of force applied be rotated about the iron pivot p at
more is the tummg • effect on the body. ' centre by applying a small force at
2 · The perpeoclicular distance of the force
handle H (Fig. 3.5).
from the . ·
p1vote d point.
. Larger the
perpen~cular distance of point at which the
force _is applied, from the pivoted point,

---~
more is the turning effect on the body.
Upper circular )_
SOME EXAMPLES IN DAILY LIFE stone
1. To open or shut a door, we apply a force
(push or pull) F normal to the door at its "

handle P which is provided at the Lower circular

stone
maximum distance from the hinges as
shown in Fig. 3.4. We can notice that if
we apply the force at a point Q (near the Fig. 3.5 Turning of a hand flour grinder
hinge R), much greater force is required 3. A potter's wheel has a wheel pivoted
to open the door and if the force is the centre. The potter turns the wheel I
applied at the hinge R, we will not be means of a stick at the rim of the whl
able to open the door howsoever large as shown in Fig 3.6.
E

Hinge

F h Fig. 3.6 Turning of a potter's wheel

. 3 · 4 O'Pening of a door
Fig. by pus
ol ·
- -~ - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 Concise PHYSICS - Middle schO

40 '. _
 4. A carpenter uses a drill machine which Conclusion : From the above examples,
is provided with a handle so that by we conclude that the turning of a body about
applying a less force at the end of the pivot depends not only on the magnitude
handle, the drill can be turned easily of the force, but it also depends on the
(Fig. 3.7). perpendicular distance of the force from the
point of rotation. Larger the perpendicular
distance, less is the force needed to turn the
body. Actually the turning effect on _a body
depends on the product of both the magnitude
• f • ( • ..

of force and the perpendicular distance offorce

from the pivoted point. This product is called
Fig. 3. 7 Turning of a drill machine the moment of force (or torque). In other
5. To turn a steering Rim words, a body turns (or rotates) about the
wheel in a car or pivoted point due to the moment of force.
truck, the driver
MOMENT OF FORCE ,
applies force at a
point on the rim of The moment of a force is equal to the
the wheel as shown Fig. 3.8 Turning of product of the magnitude of the force and
in Fig. 3.8. a steering wheel the perpendicular distance of the force from
the pivoted point.
6. In a bicycle to tum the wheel, the force .
is applied on the pedal so that the Consider a body
distance of force from the axle of wheel which is pivoted at a
is increased (Fig. 3.9). point 0. If a force Fis
applied on the body in
J
the direction FP as
shown in Fig 3.11, the F
force is unable to Fig. 3.11 Moment
produce linear motion of of a force

, ~ ~c=JC::X:::c:JCX::JCIC!l~R:-:;EAR WHEEL
the body in its direction because the body is
not free to move, but this force turns (or
Fig. 3.9 Turning of wheel of a bicycle
rotates) the body about the point 0, in the
7. A spanner used to tighten or loosen a direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 3.11.
nut, has a long handle to produce a large
In Fig. 3.11, the perpendicular distance
turning effect by a small force applied at of the force F from the pivoted point O is OP.
the end of its handle as sho·wn in Therefore,
Fig. 3.10. Moment of force about the point O
= Force x perpendicular distance of
• force from the point O
FORCE
Fig. 3.10 Turning of a spanner = Fx OP

[Force and Pressure 1-j- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- 41

 hinges, (i.e. at distance 0·6 m from the bin
Note : For producing maximum turning she will have to apply a force F such tha~es ,
effect on a body by a given force, the force F x 0·6 m = 1·8 N m
is applied on the body at a point for which 1·8 Nm
the perpendicular distance of the force from or F = - - - = 3·0 N
0·6 m
the pivoted point is maximum so that the Thus, on decreasing the distance of th
given force may provide the maximum applied force from the point of rotation, th
torque to tum the body. magnitude of force increases.
UNIT OF MOMENT OF FORCE
Unit of moment of force
I . Conventionally, if the effect on the body is to tunt
= unit of force x unit of distance
it anticlockwise, moment of force is called anticlockwi~
The S.I. unit of force is newton and that moment and it is taken positive. If the effett '
of distance is metre, so the S.I. unit of moment on the body is to turn it clockwise, the moment of
of force is newton x metre. This is written in force is called clockwise moment and taken in
short form as N m. negative.
Note: The unit newton x metre (Nm) of 2. The direction of rotation of a body can be
moment of force or torque is not written as changed either by changing the point at which the force
is applied or by changing the direction of force applied
~oule (J).
The C.G.S unit of moment of force is as shown in Fig. 3.12.

6
B PIVO- T
B ~

But if force is measured in gravitational DISC

F l
unit, then the unit of moment of force in S.I. A A
system is kgf m and in C.G.S. system, the unit ANTICLOCKWISE
(POSITIVE)
CLOCKWISE
(NEGATIVE)
(a) By changing the point of application of force
is gf cm.
These units are related as follows : ..················\_F
1 Nm= 105 dyne x 10 cm
2 ( <:;:?\
\ ......~XL~...J
= 107 dyne cm ANTICLOCKWISE CLOCKWISE
(POSITIVE) (NEGATIVE)
and 1 kgf m=9·8 Nm, (b) By changing the direction of force
1 gf cm= 980 dyne cm Fig. 3.12 Anticlockwise and clockwise moments .I
For example, Reena has to apply a
minimum force of 1•5 N on the handle of the PRESSURE
1
door of width 1·2 m to open it. This means Thrust : A force can be applied on
that the minimum moment of force required surf~ce in any direction. If the force j
to open the door is 1-5 N x 1-2 m = 1-8 Nm. apphed on a surface in a direction noflll, r
1
~wff~wmuw~H~~~~ (perpendicular) to the surface, the force
force at the mid point between the handle and called thrust. Thus, the force acting no
Concise PHYSICS - Middle School -
-
on a surface is called thrust. A body, when (2) If you hammer a nail holding it with
placed on a surface, exerts a thrust on the its flattened end resting on a wooden block
surface equal to its own weight. [Fig. 3.14 (a)], you find it difficult to get the
The unit of thrust is same as that of the nail into the block. But if you hammer the
weight or force. Thus, the units of thrust are nail holding its sharp end resting on the block
kilogram force (kgf), gram force (gf) and [Fig. 3 .14 (b)], the nail penetrates in to the
newton (N). These units are related as : block easily. The reason is that when thrust
1 kgf = 1000 gf acts on the flattened end, the effect of thrust
1 kgf = 10 N (nearly) is small but when the same thrust acts on the
sharp end, the effect of thrust is more.
1 N = 100 gf (nearly).
THE EFFECT OF THRUST
The effect of thrust depends on the area
of the surface on which it acts. Smaller the
area of the surface on which a thrust acts,
larger is its effect. But the effect of a thrust is
less on a larger area. (a) Nail with its flattened (b) Nail with its sharp
Examples : blunt end on the block end on the block

(1) If you stand on loose sand, your feet Fig. 3.14 Effect of thrust is more on a
will sink deeply into the sand. But when you smaller area than on a bigger area
lie on sand, your body does not sink much into The effect of thrust is expressed in terms
the sand. In both the cases, the thrust exerted of a quantity called pressure. More the effect
on the sand is same. The .reason is that, when of a given thrust on a surface, we say that the
you stand, the thrust acts on a smaller area, thrust exerts more pressure on the surface and
so you sink more in the sand, and when you if less is the effect of thrust on a surface, we
lie down, the same thrust acts on a larger area, say that the thrust exerts a less pressure on
so you sink less in the sand. (Fig. 3.13). the surface.
DEFINITON OF PRESSURE
Pressure is defined as the thrust per unit
area. Thus,
Thrust
Pressure = - -
Area
It is denoted by the letter P.
If a thrust F acts on an area A, the
pressure P is :
(a) Boy standing (b) Boy lying
(more pressure) (less pressure)

Fig. 3.13 Same thrust but different effects

: [force and Pressure 1,------------- ------------ -:~

 UNITS OF PRESSURE exerts less pressure, hence you sink le
(1) The S.I. unit of thrust (or force) is newton Similarly, when you hammer a nail Wi1Jh .
(N) and that of area is metre 2 (m2), so the flattened end resting on a wooden b.lo~
S.I. unit of pressure is newton/metre 2 thrust exerted by you acts on a larger cllie
(symbol N/m2 or N m-2 ). This unit is also so less pressure acts on the nail. Renee
called pascal (symbol Pa) after the name does not go into the block. But when ;
of the scientist Blaise Pascal. Thus, hammer the nail with its sharp end rest~g; Gl
ou
1 pascal is the pressure exerted by a thrust the block, the same thrust acts on a smau
er
of 1 newton on a surface of area 1 metre 2 • area, so more pressure acts on the naiJ
z.e. Hence, it easily prenetrates into the block, ·
1 pascal lnewton
" = 1 metre2 Fig 3.15 (a) shows a block of mas

c:
8
lN.
or 1 Pa = - -2 z.e. 1 Pa = 1 N m-2 10 kg and dimensions 40 cin x 20 cm x 1oc
lm lying on a table top on its side 40 cm x 20
The bigger unit of pressure is kilo pascal The thrust exerted by the block on the table to
(symbol kPa) where is equal to the weight of the block i.e. lo kJ
1 kPa = 1000 Pa. This thrust acts on an area A 1 = 40 cm x 20 c~
2
(3) If thrust is measured in kgf and area in = 800 cm . The pressure on the table top is
2
cm , then pressure is expressed in unit l0kgf
kgf cm-2 . Pl = goocm2 = 0·0125 kgf cm-2
( 4) The atmospheric pressure is generally Now if the block is turned so that it lies
expressed in a unit atmosphere (atm) on its side 20 cm x 10 cm as shown·
F
1

where IB
ig 3.15 (b), the thrust exerted by the block
1 atm = 76 cm of mercury column on the table top is the same, equal to 10 kgf.
= 1·013 x 105 Pa But now, this thrust acts on an area
FACTORS AFFECTING PRESSURE Ai= 20 cm x 10 cm = 200 cm2.
The pressure on a surface depends on the The pressure P 2 on the table top now is :
following two factors : p _ l0kgf
1. On the area of the surface on which 2 - 200 cm 2 = 0-05 kgf cm-2
thrust acts,
2. On the magnitude of thrust acting on the
surface.
1. Dependence of pressure on the area of
surface : II

When you stand on sand, a thrust equal t

to your weight acts on a smaller area and so (a) Thrust = 1o kgf
"'Xerts
~. more pressure on san, d h ence you Area __ 800 cm 2 (b) Thrust= 10 kgf
ink B Pressure = 0 .0125 k f _ Area = 200 cm 2
: more. ut when you lie down on sand p· 9 cm 2 Pressure = . kgf Cf11
0 05
1e same thrust acts on a larger area and so' zg. 3.15 Lesser th
area of surface
e
'4' :----------------------J more is the pressure '
' Con ·
cise PHYSICS - Middle School -
 Thus, pressure exerted by a body
depends on the surface area on which the . 11
thrust of the body acts. Smaller the surface
~ ,._., Less
area, more is the pressure exerted by the
st
thrust and larger the surface area, lesser is
the pressure exerted by the same thrust.
This can also be demonstrated by the
following activity. Same ··
area

ACTMTY 1 (a) A thin boy standing on (b) A~fat boy standing on

a bed (less pressure) a bed (more pressure)
Push a sharp pin into a piece of wood as shown in
Fig 3.16 (a). Now try to push a nail with your thumb Fig. 3.17 More the thrust, more is the pressure
into the wood [Fig. 3.16 (b)]. You will not be able more is the pressure on it while smaller the
to push the nail into the wood but you will be able thrust on the same surface, less is the pressure
to push the pin into the wood. The reason is that the
on it.
tip of the nail is of large area than the tip of the pin,
so pressure exerted on nail is less than on the pin, This can be demonstrated by the following
hence pin gets inserted but the nail does not. Now, activity.
to insert the nail into the wood, hammer it as shown
in [Fig. 3.16(c)]. You will find that the nail now gets ACTMTY 2
inserted into the wood because thrust on it has Take three identical blocks of solid wood X, Y and
increased the pressure. z. Place these blocks on mud as shown in Fig 3.18.
FORCE
j, You will notice that the block X alone sinks less into
the mud, but the blocks Y and Z placed one above
the other, sink into the mud deeper.

(a) (b)
MUD ~
Fig. 3.16 Pressure increases when
area decreases and force increases Fig. 3.18 X sinks less while Y and Z
together sink more
2. Dependence of pressure on thrust (or
EXAMPLES OF PRESSURE IN OUR DAILY
force): LIFE
In Fig. 3 .17 (a), a thin boy is standing (A) Decrease in area increases the pressure
on bricks kept on a bed. He exerts some 1. A nail or a board pin has one end pointed
pressure due to his weight. But in Fig. 3.17 (b),
and sharp while the other end is blunt
a fat boy is standing on the same bricks kept
and flat. On applying force, the pointed
on the bed. In this case, the pressure· _exerted
end will exert greater pressure as the area
by the fat boy is more due -to ·his -.excess
of contact is small and hence, it will go
weight. Thus, greater the thrust on a surface,
deep into the given~ wface.
~ orce and Pressure !1-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -
 2. The cutting tools like a blade, knife, axe the feet show _a t~ndency to sink inside tb
sand, making 1t difficult to walk.
etc, (Fig. 3.19), have very sharp edges.
The sharp edges have very small area 3. Skiers use long flat skis to ~lide over th~
of contac 4 so the pressure applied by a snow. The larger the area o contact, tb~
lesser is the pressure on the snow. 1'hi
8
helps the skier to slide comfortabl
:_rc_e_-= =e. , .
without sinking in the snow. y
Knife / Axe A pair of pliers
4. Army tanks are usually very heavy and they
exert large pressure on the ground, if they

!!a ~
Stappler A pair of scissors
move on wheels. Hence they are made to
move over the broad steel tracks caned
caterpillar wheels of tanks. These tracks are
Fig. 3.19 Some cutting tools with sharp or pointed edges used to increase the surface area so as to
3. The pointed heels of footwear exert more reduce the pressure on the ground and hence
pressure on the ground than the regular avoid sinking of their wheels in the ground
flat heels. Therefore, a lady with pointed 5. Foundation of buildings are kept wide 8~
heel sandals finds it difficult to walk on that the weight of the building may act 00
a muddy road than on a tarred road. larger area. As a result, it will exert less
4. The narrow heeled sandal of a girl hurts pressure on the ground. This avoids
more than the broad heeled shoe of a boy. sinking of buildings into the earth.
This is because more pressure is exerted 6. A porter wears turban on his head when he
by the girl than that exerted by the boy has to carry heavy loads. This helps him
as her heel is more narrow than the heel in increasing the area of contact of load and
of the shoe of the boy. head so as to reduce the pressure of the
(B) Increase in area decreases the pressure load on his head.
1. Heavy trucks have six to eight tyres instead 7. School bags and shopping bags have
of the conventional four tyres. More broad straps or belts so that the area of
number of tyres are used to increase the contact increases and thus the pressure on
area of contact and thereby reduce the the hand or shoulder is reduced.
pressure on the ground. If there are only 8. Wide wooden sleepers are placed below
four tyres in a heavy truck, due to less area the railway tracks (Fig 3.20) so that.the
the pressure applied by the truck will be pressure exerted by the rails on the ground
more and hence its speed will get affected. becomes less.
2. A camel can move more conveniently on
sand as compared to a horse. The reason is
that the camel has broader feet than that of
a horse. The broader feet of the camel
provide lesser pressure on the sand and it
becomes easier for the camel to walk. In the
case of a horse, the area of the feet is less,
due to which the pressure is more and hence Fig. 3.20 Railway track having wide wooden slee
: . _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Concise PHYSICS - Middle School-
 Difference between thrust and pressure
Thrust Conclusion : The water column exerts a pressure
Pressure on the balloon. The force on the balloon is equal to
1. Thrust is the sum total 1. Pressure is the the weight of the water column which is called
of force acting perpen- thrust acting per thrust. If W is the weight of water column and A the
dicular to a surface. unit area. area of mouth of balloon, then
2. It is independent of 2. It depends on the
Thrust =W
the area over which area on which the
Thrust W
the force is applied. force acts. and Pressure =- ---
Area A
3. It's S.I. unit is newton 3. The S.I. unit is
(N). N m-2 or Pa.
ACTIVITY 4
LIQUID PRESSURE
A liquid also exerts pressure sideways on the
A solid exerts pressure on a surface due walls of the container.
to its own weight. Similarly, liquids have
Take a glass tube closed at one end and having an
weight. They also exert pressure on the opening in its side near the bottom. Tie a balloon at
container in which they are_kept. A solid exerts the side openip.g of the tube. Hold the tube vertically
pressure only on the surface at its bottom. But as shown in Fig 3.22 (a). Pour some water in the
a liquid exerts pressure not only on the surface tube [Fig. 3.22 (b)]. You will notice that the balloon
of its container at the bottom, but also bulges out.
sideways, that is, in all directions. This can be
Glass tube--
demonstrated by the following activities.
Water
ACTMTY 3

A liquid exerts pressure at the bottom of its Deflated Bulged

balloon balloon
container.
(a) (b)
Take a glass tube. Tie a balloon at its lower end. Fig. 3.22 Balloon bulges due to pressure
Hold it vertically straight as shown in Fig. 3.21 (a). of water on the sides of glass tube
Pour some water in the tube [Fig. 3.21 (b)]. You will This shows that liquids exert pressure sideways also
notice that the balloon bulges out. on the walls of the container.

Glass tube ACTMTY 5

A liquid exerts pressure in all directions

Water
1. Take a plastic mug and water in a bucket. Invert
the mug and try to press it so as to immerse the
Deflated Bulged mug into water. You will experience an upward
balloon balloon push on your hand. This is because of the
(a) (b)
pressure exerted by water in the upward
Fig. 3.21 Balloon bulges due to direction. Thus, liquids exert pressure in the
pressure of water column upward direction also.

[force and Pressu re ~I- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -;

r 2. Take a balloon. Fill it with water. Tie its mouth.
Make holes in it by inserting a pin at several
places in all the directions. You will notice that
water flows out through each hole (Fig. 3.23).
Glass tube

Water
This shows that water in the balloon exerts
pressure in all directions. More bulged
balloon

(b)

Fig. 3.24 Liquid pressure increases with

the height of the liquid column
greater is the pressure exerted by. it ~n the balloon.
Thus, the liquid pressure at a pomt mcreases With
Fig. 3.23 Water inside a balloon exerts the height of the liquid column above that point.
pressure in all directions
ACTIVITY 7
FACTORS AFFECTING LIQUID PRESSURE
Take an empty tin cylinder. Make two holes in it, A
The pressure at a point in a liquid near the top and B near the bottom. Close the holes
depends on the following two factors : A and B with an adhesive tape. Place the cylinder
1. The height of the liquid column. Liquid on a block kept on a table. Fill the cylinder with
pressure increases with the height of the water. Remove the adhesive tape from the holes. i
You will notice that the water coming out from the
liquid column above the point.
upper hole A falls close to the cylinder and the water
2. The density of the liquid. Liquid coming out from the lower hole B falls farther from
pressure increases with the increase in the cylinder (Fig. 3.25). This shows that the liquid
density of the liquid. pressure at a point increases with the height of the
liquid column above it.
1. Liquid pressure increases with the
height of the liquid column :
Tin cylinder - - ==== C:t _
This can be demonstrated by the \\.
following activities. Water ==== ·_
\
8
Block ====···········:1i---·::::::::_:::::·-..
ACTIVITY6 =~ .. \

Take a glass tube open at both ends. Hold it

vertically. Tie a balloon at its lower end. Pour some
Fig. 3.25 Liquid pressure increases with
water in the tube. You will notice that the balloon th e height of the liquid column
bulges out as shown in Fig. 3.24 (a). Add some more
water. You will find that the balloon bulges more
2· Liquid pressure increases with 1
[Fig. ' 3.24 (b)]. This shows that greater the height increase in density of liquid :
of the water column in the tube above the balloon, Th'18
can be demonstrated by
following activity.
48 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - l
---[9oncise PHYSICS Middle sc§G
 ACTMTY 8 above it, so thickness of the walls of a dam is
Take two identical glass tubes A and B open at both increased towards the bottom so as to withstand
ends. Hold them vertical and tie a balloon at the lower the increasing pressure of water (Fig. 3.27).
end of each tube. Pour some water in the tube A. Now The arrows in the figure show the increasing
pour concentrated sugar solution in the tube B such pressure towards the bottom of the dam.
that its height in the tube B is same as the height of
water in the tube A as shown in Fig. 3.26. You will
notice that the balloon attached with the tube B bulges
more than that attachec_l with the tube A. This shows I . A liquid seeks its own level. The height of level
that the same height of concentrated sugar solution of liquid in tubes of different areas of cross section always
exerts more pressure than water. Since the_density of remains same, although volume of liquid is different in
concentrated sugar S(?lution is more than that of water, different tubes as shown in Fig 3.28. This is called
therefore we conclude that liquid p~essure increases hydrostatic paradox.
with the increase in density of the liquid. A B C
D

A Glass tube 8 E

Water Concentrated
sugar solution
Fig. 3.28 A liquid seeks its own level
2. If a body is immersed in a liquid, the pressure of
Less bulged balloon More bulged balloon liquid on the bottom surface of body is more than at its
top surface. Due to this difference in pressure, a force
Fig. 3.26 Liquid pressure increases with
increase in. density of liquid
acts on the body (force = difference in pressure x area
of surface of bottom) in the upward direction which is
called buoyant force or upthrust.
CONSEQUENCES OF tIQUID PRESSURE
3. Pressure at any point inside the sea/ocean is much
Thickness of walls of a dam is increased
greater than that at its surface. The pressure increases
towards the bottom : The reason is that the with the increase in depth. That is why deep sea-divers
pressure at a point due to a liquid increases wear specially designed swim suits to counter such high
with the increase in height of the liquid column pressure ..

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Like liquids, gases also exert pressure.
Our earth is surrounded by air to a height of
about 200 kilometre. This envelope of air
around the earth is called the atmosphere.
Air has weight. The weight of air exerts
a thrust on earth. The thrust on unit area of
Fig. 3.27 Wall of a dam with its thickness the earth surface due to the column of air is
increased towards the bottom called the atmospheric pressure . This is
, ~ orce and Pressure i-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - ----J
-@
about 105 N m-2 . Thus, a thrust of 100,000N ACTIVITY 10
acts on every 1 m 2 of the surface of objects Crushing can experiment ,1 I
on earth. Take a thin walled tin can provided with an airti
stopper. Remove the stopper. Fill the can Pani!~t
with water. Heat the can over the flame of a burn y
till water begins to boil [Fig 3.30(a)]. Now the ~r
We all are under the atmospheric pressure
pressure inside and outside the can is the same. air
(of about I0 5 Pa or I0 5 Nm-2). The surface area of an 1
average human body is 2 m2. Therefore, a total thrust of Steam------. Tin can
!
about 200,000 N acts on our body by the atmosphere.
However, we are not aware of this enormous thrust since ...::,
Q)
::,
(/)
the blood in the veins of our body also exerts a pressure (/)
(/)
(/) I
a.
(called the blood pressure) which is slightly more than a.
... ...
the atmospheric pressure. This blood pressure makes the <(
<( III
effect of atmospheric pressure ineffective.
Wire gauaze ]
The existence of atmospheric pressure
can be demonstrated by the following simple (a) Air pressure inside and outside the can is same
activities.
~ - - - C o l d water
ACTIVITY 9
~ -... Stopper
Take a glass filled with water up to its brim and Partial vacuum.''·?,\

place a post card on top of it as shown in Fig. 3.29. ... -a,

~-
Q) -
::i- -:5
Now press the palm of your one hand on top of the
post card, then invert the water filled glass (keeping
...
Q)

a. -
- -~
-C/l

-a.
(/)

it tightly closed with the post card placed) upside

down. Now gently remove your hand from the post
card to release it. You will observe that the post card Tub
does not fall down from the glass although the (b) Air pressure outside the can is more than that inside
pressure due to water column in the glass acts on Fig. 3.30 Crushing can experiment
it. The reason is that the atmospheric pressure acting
upwards on the post card from outside the glass, When the steam starts coming out of the opening,
overcomes the pressure on post card due to water put the stopper and remove the can from the burner.
Then place the can in a tub and pour cold water on
in the glass.
the can. You will notice that the can collapses !
[Fig. 3.30 (b)].
The reason is that the steam has driven out with it
most of the air from the can. When cold water is
poured, steam condenses into water, leaving a parti~
5
Atmospheric pressure vacuum in the can. The air pressure from outside 1•
now more than that from the inside. This excess air
pressure from the outside exerts force due to wtucb
Fig. 3.29 Air exerts pressure the can collapses.

) l- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - r [concise PHYSICS MiddleS~

STANDARD VALUE OF ATMOSPHERIC pressure acting on water in the well.
pRESSURE 5. A syringe gets filled with the liquid
At sea level on earth surface, the when its plunger is pulled up due to the
atmospheric pressure is 76 cm or 760 mm of atmospheric pressure acting on the
mercury column which is equal to 1 atm or
liquid.
1-013 x 105 Pa.
6. Rubber suckers are used as hooks in the
Note :_ ~he atmospheric pressure kitchen and bathroom. They remain
decreases with mcreasing altitude i.e. as we pressed against the wall due to the
go higher above the earth surface, the air atmospheric pressure from outside.
pressure decreases.
7. It is difficult to take out oil from a sealed
SOME EXAMPLES IN DAILY LIFE TO tin if only one hole is made in it. But if
SHOW THE EXISTENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC
another hole is also made, the
PRESSURE
atmospheric pressure acts on the oil due
So~e of the examples in our daily life
to air entering in the tin through this
showmg the effect of air pressure are given
hole and the oil then comes out of the
below:
tin through the other hole easily.
1. When a drink is sucked with a straw
(Fig. 3.21), the air of the straw goes into 8. Lizards are able to move on the
wall and stay wherever they desire.
the lungs and thus air pressure in the
straw decreases. The atmospheric This is because their feet behave like
pressure acting on the drink exerts force suction pads, so they remain pressed
on the drink to move up into the straw against the wall due to the atmospheric
pressure.
and then into the mouth.
9. The astronauts and mountaineers have
to wear special type of suits to protect
themselves from adverse effects of low
Atmospheric
pressure pressure prevailing at the great heights.
JJJ 10. No_se bleeding often occurs at high
altitudes .. The reason is that the
atmosphenc pressure is low at h' h
1. 1g
a tltudes, but the pressure inside the
Fig. 3.31 Sucking a drink with a straw human body does not change. Thus, the
2. When we blow air in a balloon, it bulges excess pressure inside the body
because of the pressure exerted by the compared to the atmospheric pressure,
air filled in it. causes nose bleeding.
3. It is due to atmospheric pressure that SOLVED EXXMPLES
ink gets filled into a fountain pen. 1· Calcu1ate th e moment of force of 5 N
4. Water is drawn up from a well by a applied on a body at a distance of 20 cm
water pump because of the atmospheric from a pivoted point.
[£'.orce and Pressure J!1-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -!--~
L2l...