KS3 Physics

9L Pressure and
Moments
1 of 20
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Contents

9L Pressure and Moments

Pressure
Pressure in liquids
Moments
Summary activities
1 of 20
2
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

What is pressure?
Pressure is exerted whenever a force is applied over an area.

1.

2.

If the same force is applied in each picture, which arm exerts

the highest pressure on the board?

1 of 20
3
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

High and low pressure

1.

2.

The arm applies a force

to the board via a fingertip.

The same force is now acting

over a larger area the palm
has a greater surface area
than the fingertip.

The force acts over a

small area and so
produces a high pressure.

1 of 20
4
37

A lower pressure is produced.

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Calculating pressure
Pressure is the force per unit area
and is calculated using this formula:

pressure =

force

area

p x a

Pressure is measured in:

Newtons per square metre (N/m2), which are also called
pascals (Pa).
Pressure can also be measured in:
Newtons per square millimetre (N/mm2);
Newtons per square centimetre (N/cm2).
1 of 20
5
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Which type of pressure?

The same force spread over a larger area means a lower
pressure.
Which type of shoes would be best for walking over a muddy
field flat soles or heels?

1 of 20
6
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Which type of pressure?

1 of 20
7
37

The boots have flat soles

and spread the persons
weight over a large surface
area.

In contrast, the heeled

shoes have a smaller
surface area and so
exert a higher pressure.

These boots exert a low

pressure on the ground.

These shoes are likely

to sink into soft ground.
Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004

Using low pressure

A force spread over a large area means low pressure,
e.g. skis and snowboards.
The large surface area
of the board means the
skier exerts very little
pressure on the snow.
This means he slides
over the top of the snow
and does not sink into it.

1 of 20
8
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Using high pressure

A force concentrated on a small area means high pressure,
e.g. high heeled shoes, needles, ice skates, sharp knives.
The high pressure of the
blade of an ice-skate melts
the ice and helps the skater
slide across the surface.

The narrow blade of a knife

means that it exerts a high
pressure and makes it easier
to cut fruit and vegetables.
1 of 20
9
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Contents

9L Pressure and Moments

Pressure
Pressure in liquids
Moments
Summary activities
1 ofof20
10
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Pressure in a liquid
Pressure in a liquid:
acts in all directions;
increases with depth.
A liquid can be used to transmit
pressure from one place to
another.

1 ofof20
11
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Pressure in a liquid
The relationship between pressure and depth is shown
by a water bottle with holes along its length.

low pressure
high pressure

Pressure (N/m2) = 10 N/kg x depth (m) x density (kg/m3)

The pull The greater the
of gravity depth, the higher
the pressure
1 ofof20
12
37

The denser the liquid,

the heavier it is.
Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004

Hydraulics
Hydraulic systems use the principle that pressure is
transmitted throughout a liquid.
They are used to transfer movement from one part of a
machine to another without linking the parts mechanically.
All hydraulic systems use two pistons linked via a pipe
carrying a special oil called hydraulic fluid.
Force
applied
here

Force
transferred
here
Pressure inside all parts of the
hydraulic system is the same

1 ofof20
13
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Hydraulic brake
All hydraulic brake systems (e.g. in a car) use a small
master piston and a bigger slave piston.

hydraulic fluid

slave pistons

foot pedal

master piston
The master piston is used to apply a force. This puts the
liquid under pressure. The pressure is transmitted to the
pistons on all four wheels of the car.
1 ofof20
14
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Hydraulic brake pressure equations

The pressure exerted by the master piston on the
hydraulic fluid can be calculated using this equation:
pressure =

force applied
area of master piston

The pressure is transmitted to the slave pistons and so the

force exerted by the slave piston can be calculated using:
pressure =

force exerted
area of slave piston

force exerted = pressure x area of slave piston

The slave piston has a larger area than the master piston.
So, the force exerted by the slave pistons on the brakes is
greater than the force exerted by the driver on the brake pedal.
1 ofof20
15
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Hydraulic brake calculations

The master piston of a car has an area of 5cm 2.

1. If a force of 10N is applied to the master piston,

calculate the pressure created in the brake pipes.

2. If the slave piston has an area of 50 cm 2, calculate the

force exerted on the brake disc.
Calculations:

1. At the master piston, p = f = 10 N = 2 N/cm2

a

5cm2

2. At the slave piston, f = p x a = 2 N/cm2 x 50cm2 = 100 N

So, the force exerted on the brake disc is ten times greater
than the original force applied to the master piston.
1 ofof20
16
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Hydraulics activity

1 ofof20
17
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Contents

9L Pressure and Moments

Pressure
Pressure in liquids
Moments
Summary activities
1 ofof20
18
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Force and rotation

A force acting on an object can cause it to turn about a pivot.

5N

pivot

What happens to the see-saw when a force is applied on the

left-hand side?
Does the seesaw turn? If so, clockwise or anti-clockwise?

1 ofof20
19
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Force and rotation a moment

The left-hand side of the see-saw moves downwards when
a force is applied to it this is an anticlockwise turn.

pivot
The turning effect of a force
is called a moment.

1 ofof20
20
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Using moments
A spanner is a lever that can be used to unscrew a nut.
The spanner exerts a moment or turning force on the nut.

pivot
distance
from force
to pivot
force

If the moment is big enough it will unscrew the nut.

If not, there are two ways of increasing the moment.
1 ofof20
21
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Using moments increasing the moment

1. Increase the distance from the force to the pivot
apply the force at the end or use a longer spanner.

pivot
distance
from force
to pivot

force
If the same force is applied over a greater distance,
a larger moment is produced.
1 ofof20
22
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Using moments increasing the moment

2. Increase the force applied
push/pull harder or get someone stronger to do it!

pivot
distance
from force
to pivot
force
If a greater force is applied over the same distance,
a larger moment is produced.
1 ofof20
23
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Moment equation
The moment of a force is given by the equation:
moment = force (N) x distance from pivot (cm or m)

moment

x d

Moments are measured in Newton centimetres (Ncm) or

Newton metres (Nm).
1 ofof20
24
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Moment calculation
Gina weighs 500 N and stands on one end of a seesaw.
She is 0.5 m from the pivot.
What moment does she exert?

moment = 500 x 0.5

= 250 Nm
0.5 m

500 N

1 ofof20
25
37

pivot

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Principle of moments

pivot

1 ofof20
26
37

The girl on the left exerts

an anti-clockwise moment,
which equals...

The girl on the right exerts

a clockwise moment,
which equals...

her weight x her distance

from pivot

her weight x her distance

from pivot
Boardworks Ltd 2005
2004

Principle of moments

pivot
If the anticlockwise moment and clockwise moment are
equal then the see-saw is balanced. This is known as the
principle of moments.
When something is balanced about a pivot:
total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment
1 ofof20
27
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Principle of moments
The principle of moments can be investigated using
10g masses with this balance.

moment (left) = 10 x 7
= 70 gcm

moment (right) = (10 x 3) + (10 x 4)

= 70 gcm

Both moments are equal and so the see-saw is balanced.

1 ofof20
28
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Principle of moments calculation

Two girls are sitting on opposite sides of on a see-saw.
One girl weighs 200 N and is 1.5 m from the pivot. Where
must her 150 N friend sit if the seesaw is to balance?
When the see-saw is balanced:
total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment
200 N x 1.5 m = 150 N x distance
200 x 1.5 = distance
150
distance of second girl = 2 m

1 ofof20
29
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Why dont cranes fall over?

Tower cranes are essential at any major construction site.

load arm

trolley

counterweight
loading platform
tower
Concrete counterweights are fitted to the cranes short arm.
Why are these needed for lifting heavy loads?
1 ofof20
30
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Why dont cranes fall over?

Using the principle of moments, when is the crane balanced?
3m
6m
?
moment of
load

10,000 N
=

moment of
counterweight

If a 10,000 N counterweight is three metres from the

tower, what weight can be lifted when the loading
platform is six metres from the tower?
1 ofof20
31
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Why dont cranes fall over?

moment of
load

= load x distance of load from tower

= ? x 6

moment of
= counterweight x distance of counterweight
counterweight
from tower
= 10,000 x 3
= 30,000 Nm
moment of load = moment of counterweight
? x 6 = 30,000
? = 3,000
6

? = 5,000 N
1 ofof20
32
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Crane operator activity

At what distance can the loading platform carry each load safely?

1 ofof20
33
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Contents

9L Pressure and Moments

Pressure
Pressure in liquids
Moments
Summary activities
1 ofof20
34
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Glossary
counterbalance A weight used to balance another weight.
effort The force applied to use a lever.
hydraulics The use of liquid to transmit pressure from
one place to another.
lever A simple machine that moves about a pivot and
makes work easier by increasing the size of a force.
load The force moved when using a lever.
moment The turning effect of a force. It equals the force
multiplied by the distance from the pivot.
pascal A unit of pressure (Pa). 1 Pa = 1 newton per square
metre (N/m2).
pivot The point around which a lever turns.
pressure The force pushing on a certain area. It equals
the force divided by area and can be measured in pascals (Pa).
1 ofof20
35
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Anagrams

1 ofof20
36
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004

Multiple-choice quiz

1 ofof20
37
37

Boardworks Ltd 2005

2004