Skip to main content

What are the 5 differences between force and pressure based on their effects and properties?

Well, first, force and pressure have different units. Force is in units of mass times acceleration like newtons or pounds, and the formula for force is `F=ma`  where m is mass and a is acceleration. Pressure is in units of force and an area, like PSI or atmospheres, and a formula for pressure is `P=F/A`  where F is force and A is area. 


Force and pressure are often used for very different things, or in conjunction. For example, to calculate acceleration on a piston, you can use the mass, area, and pressure to get an exact value. 


Pressure is exerted by physical objects, while force can be exerted in other ways. For example, a magnetic force can be caused by the movement of a charged particle that is not in contact with the subject.


Pressure is almost always caused by a collection of particles--a canister of air or column of water. In a two-particle system, pressure becomes meaningless as the area is a point. Force is used in two-particle systems.


Gasses do not usually provide force; rather they provide pressure. In some applications, this pressure can be used as a force, like how cylinder pressure provides force to wheels on a car.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is there a word/phrase for "unperformant"?

As a software engineer, I need to sometimes describe a piece of code as something that lacks performance or was not written with performance in mind. Example: This kind of coding style leads to unmaintainable and unperformant code. Based on my Google searches, this isn't a real word. What is the correct way to describe this? EDIT My usage of "performance" here is in regard to speed and efficiency. For example, the better the performance of code the faster the application runs. My question and example target the negative definition, which is in reference to preventing inefficient coding practices. Answer This kind of coding style leads to unmaintainable and unperformant code. In my opinion, reads more easily as: This coding style leads to unmaintainable and poorly performing code. The key to well-written documentation and reports lies in ease of understanding. Adding poorly understood words such as performant decreases that ease. In addressing the use of such a poorly ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is 'efficate' a word in English?

I routinely hear the word "efficate" being used. For example, "The most powerful way to efficate a change in the system is to participate." I do not find entries for this word in common English dictionaries, but I do not have an unabridged dictionary. I have checked the OED (I'm not sure if it is considered unabridged), and it has no entry for "efficate". It does have an entry for "efficiate", which is used in the same way. Wordnik has an entry for "efficate" with over 1800 hits, thus providing some evidence for the frequency of use. I personally like the word and find the meaning very clear and obvious when others use it. If it's not currently an "officially documented" word, perhaps its continued use will result in it being better documented.
Post a Comment
Read more