Pressure
I can describe and calculate pressure, the effect of a force acting over an area.
Pressure
I can describe and calculate pressure, the effect of a force acting over an area.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Pressure is a measure of how concentrated a force is.
- Pressure = force ÷ area.
- Pressure is measured in newtons per square metre or per square centimetre.
- Another name for newtons per square metre is the pascal (Pa).
Keywords
Pressure - The effect of a force acting over an area.
Concentrated - When a force is concentrated on a small area the pressure is higher.
Newton per square centimetre - A unit for pressure.
Newton per square metre - The standard unit for pressure, and this is also known as the pascal (Pa).
Common misconception
Pressure and force are terms that are often used interchangeably.
Explore examples with pupils in which similar sized forces are used to create different pressures that the pupils can experience first hand.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Hidden forces unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Supervision
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Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: The unit of force is the , which has the symbol N.
Q2.The figure shows a force acting on a balloon resting on a table with a hand pushing downwards on it. Which statements are correct?

Q3.Which force on objects like springs or rubber bands will cause them to stretch?
Q4.A set of bathroom scales shows a reading of 110 kg. What is the weight of the object on the scales? The gravitational field strength on Earth is 10 N/kg

Q5.A spring is used in a newton meter. The total length of the spring increases by 2 cm when a force of 4 N acts on it. Which of the following statements is correct?

Q6.This boat is floating on the surface of the water. The boat has a mass of 120 kg and passengers have a total mass of 80 kg. What is the size of the upthrust acting on the boat?
