Difference between force and pressure

Difference between force and pressure

Definition of Pressure By the term 'force' we mean the push or pull, caused by the interaction of two objects, which changes or tries to change the state of the object. It is a vector expression that has both magnitude and direction. The magnitude is the amount of force, ie the greater the size, the greater the force applied and vice versa.

To put it simply, it is any influence; which changes the state of rest or movement of the body, on which it is exercised. The speed and direction of movement are the two components that describe the state of movement. The force can change the state of the movement or the shape of the object on which it is acted.

If more than one force is exerted on the object, the resulting force is called the net force. Furthermore, when the two forces are applied in the same direction, the net force will be the sum of the two forces. On the other hand, when the two forces are applied in the opposite direction, the net force will be the difference between the two forces. 

There are two types of forces, which are :

1. Contact force

§  Muscle strength

§  Friction force

2. Force without contact

§  Magnetic force

§  Electrostatic force

§  Gravitational force

Definition of pressure

Pressure is the amount of force applied on a surface per unit area. It is the force that acts perpendicular to the surface of the object, causing the force to spread over a certain area. Therefore, the pressure considers the area on which the force is exerted, that is when the force extends over a large area, the pressure is low, while if the same force is stretched over a small area, the resulting pressure would be high.

In more precise terms, pressure is the force produced by the continuous thrust or pressure of an object by another object. It can be calculated as:

Pressure = Force / Area

Differences between force and pressure

• Any push or pull, resulting from the interaction of two bodies that can cause the acceleration of the object, is called force. The force extended over an area, acting on something, in the direction perpendicular to its surface, is called pressure.
• The unit of measurement of the force is Newton labeled as N, which is equal to one kilogram per second squared. On the other hand, the SI unit of pressure is Pascal, expressed as Pa, which is equal to one newton per square meter.
• Dynamometer, an instrument used to measure force, torque (or the moment of force) or power. In contrast, the pressure gauge is a device that is used to measure pressure.