Applications of Pressure in Daily Life for Class 8

Applications of Pressure are all around us, even in simple everyday activities that we often do without thinking. From cutting vegetables to carrying heavy loads, pressure plays an important role in how efficiently tasks are performed. Understanding the application of pressure in daily life helps us connect scientific concepts with real-world situations. In this article, we will understand how pressure is applied in different everyday scenarios.

Table of Contents

• What is Pressure?
• Applications of Pressure in Daily Life

What is Pressure?

Have you ever wondered why our knives need to be so sharp or why the nails we use end with a sharp point? The answers to all these questions lie in the concept of pressure. It is the ratio of the force applied to the surface area over which the force is applied. We can define pressure in simple words as,

“The force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.”

The mathematical formula for pressure (P) is:

P=ForceAcceleration

 

The SI unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa). A pascal can be defined as a force of one newton applied over a surface area of a one-meter square.

Applications of Pressure in Daily Life

Applications of Pressure in daily life can be seen in many simple activities that we perform every day. Understanding the application of pressure in daily life helps us explain why certain objects are designed. Let’s look at some common examples.

• Cutting and Sharp Objects: We use a sharp knife to cut vegetables as the area of cross-section of the sharpened part is very small. The lesser the area, the more the pressure. Thus, the vegetables can be cut very easily.

• High-Heeled Shoes: The pointed end of a high-heeled shoe exerts a greater pressure than the flat end, as the force is acting over a small area at the pointed end.

• Carrying Heavy Loads: A porter who carries a heavy load ties a cloth on his head. Tying the cloth increases the surface area, thus decreasing the pressure.

• Building Foundations: The base of buildings has wide foundations to reduce the pressure on the ground, as pressure is inversely proportional to area. If the base has a narrow foundation, then the building will be susceptible to collapse.

• Railway Tracks: The railway sleepers placed below the tracks are fat in shape to reduce the pressure on the tracks.

• Animals and Pressure: Elephants have broad feet, which increases the area of their contact with the ground. This reduces the pressure of its weight on Earth, and its feet do not sink into the ground.

• Vehicles and Pressure Distribution: Buses and trucks have double wheels at the back. Also, heavy-duty tractors and military tanks have broad iron belts on their tyres as these increase the area over which their weight acts and reduce their pressure on the ground.

• School Bag Example: The wide shoulder pads attached to a heavy school bag carried by the boy reduce the pressure on the shoulder because the surface area of contact between the pads and his shoulder is big.

And so far, we’ve seen that the applications of pressure are an important part of our everyday lives. Whether it is cutting vegetables, constructing buildings, or carrying heavy loads, the concept of pressure helps in making activities easier and more efficient.