Pressure at different depths and heights
I can describe how the pressure changes at different depths underwater and heights in the atmosphere.
Pressure at different depths and heights
I can describe how the pressure changes at different depths underwater and heights in the atmosphere.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The bigger the surface area of a boat’s hull, the bigger the upthrust on it can be.
- Pressure in liquid increases with depth because there is more liquid pushing down.
- Pressure in the atmosphere reduces with height because there is less air pushing down.
Keywords
Upthrust - A force acting upwards due to pressure is an upthrust.
Pressure - The pressure on a surface is the effect of a force acting over an area.
Depth - Depth is the distance under the surface of a liquid.
Atmospheric pressure - Atmospheric pressure is the pressure caused by the atmosphere, this decreases with height.
Common misconception
Pressure is greater at the bottom of a wider container than at the bottom of a narrower one.
Discuss how the force of water in the wider container is acting over a bigger area and refer to pressure = force ÷ area.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Pressure at different depths and heights, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Pressure at different depths and heights, 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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Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following will increase the pressure produced by a knife being used to cut a rope?
Q2.A raft of weight 400 N floats on the surface of water. What is the size of the upthrust acting on the raft?
Q3.Which of these is the correct equation to calculate pressure?
Q4.A box with a weight of 30 N touches the floor over an area of 0.5 m$$^2$$. What pressure does the box produce on the floor?
Q5.A pupil pushes downwards with their hand which has a surface area of 60 cm$$^2$$. The pressure they produce is 1.2 N/cm$$^2$$. What sized force are they pushing down with?
Q6.Which of the following produces a pressure of one pascal (1 Pa)?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words and phrases to the explanations.
upthrust -
a force acting upwards due to pressure differences
pressure -
the effect of a force acting over an area
depth -
the distance under the surface of a liquid
atmospheric pressure -
the pressure caused by the air in the atmosphere
Q2.Which of these will increase the maximum weight a raft can support before it starts to sink?
Q3.A raft of weight 2000 N and surface area of 4.0 m$$^2$$ floats on the surface of water. What pressure is the water putting on the raft?
Q4.A shark is travelling deeper and deeper into the ocean. Which of the following are correct?
