Summarizing Gas Pressure
Key Concepts and Summary
Gases exert pressure, which is force per unit area. The pressure of a gas may be expressed in the SI unit of pascal or kilopascal, as well as in many other units including torr, atmosphere, and bar. Atmospheric pressure is measured using a barometer; other gas pressures can be measured using one of several types of manometers.
Key Equations
- \(P=\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{F}{A}\)
- p = hρg
Glossary
atmosphere (atm)
unit of pressure; 1 atm = 101,325 Pa
bar
(bar or b) unit of pressure; 1 bar = 100,000 Pa
barometer
device used to measure atmospheric pressure
hydrostatic pressure
pressure exerted by a fluid due to gravity
manometer
device used to measure the pressure of a gas trapped in a container
pascal (Pa)
SI unit of pressure; 1 Pa = 1 N/m2
pounds per square inch (psi)
unit of pressure common in the US
pressure
force exerted per unit area
torr
unit of pressure; \(\text{1 torr}=\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{1}{760}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{atm}\)
This lesson is part of:
Gases