How is the pressure of 1000 N applied to a piston with an area of 0.2 m^2 calculated?

How is the pressure of 1000 N applied to a piston with an area of 0.2 m^2 calculated?

• A. By volume of gas
• B. By dividing the force by area
• C. By multiplying force by area
• D. By averaging the forces

Answer: (B)

To determine how the pressure is calculated when a force is applied to a piston, it's important to understand the definition of pressure itself. Pressure is defined as the force applied per unit area. In this scenario, a force of 1000 N is applied to a piston with an area of 0.2 m². To calculate the pressure, you divide the total force (in this case, 1000 N) by the area over which that force is distributed (0.2 m²). This calculation yields the pressure exerted on the piston. Mathematically, this is represented as: \[ \text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}} \] Thus, the correct approach to find the pressure in this example is indeed by dividing the force by the area, making this method accurate for calculating pressure in this context.

To determine how the pressure is calculated when a force is applied to a piston, it's important to understand the definition of pressure itself. Pressure is defined as the force applied per unit area. In this scenario, a force of 1000 N is applied to a piston with an area of 0.2 m². To calculate the pressure, you divide the total force (in this case, 1000 N) by the area over which that force is distributed (0.2 m²). This calculation yields the pressure exerted on the piston.

Mathematically, this is represented as:

[ \text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}} ]

Thus, the correct approach to find the pressure in this example is indeed by dividing the force by the area, making this method accurate for calculating pressure in this context.