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fluid pressure

physics
Also known as: hydrostatic pressure

Quick Summary

In physics, pressure is defined as the perpendicular force acting on a unit area of a surface. It is the stress at a point within a confined fluid. This pressure can be exerted by solids, liquids, or gases.12

Pascal's principle states that in a fluid at rest within a closed container, any change in pressure applied to one part of the fluid is transmitted undiminished to every portion of the fluid and to the walls of the container. This principle is fundamental to understanding how hydraulic systems work, such as hydraulic brakes and presses, where a small force applied to a small area can generate a much larger force on a larger area.3

Pressure increases with depth in a fluid due to the weight of the fluid above. For example, atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air pressing down on Earth's surface, and it decreases with altitude.41

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