Pressure in fluids
AQA GCSE Physics revision on Pressure in fluids. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Physics 8463 specification. This bank has 17 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 17)
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Question 1
Pressure = ?
- A) Force x area
- B) Force / area
- C) Force + area
- D) Energy / volume
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Answer: Force / area
Pressure = force per unit area. Same force on smaller area = HIGHER pressure (sharp knife cuts better than blunt). 1 pascal = 1 N/m^2 (small). Atmospheric: ~100,000 Pa = 100 kPa. Tyres: ~200-300 kPa. Deep ocean: ~100 MPa (1000 atm).
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Question 2
In a fluid, pressure INCREASES with...
- A) Lower depth
- B) Greater depth
- C) Less density
- D) Lower temperature only
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Answer: Greater depth
P = (rho)gh (rho = density, g = gravity, h = depth). The deeper you go, the more fluid is above you pressing down. Submarines must withstand huge pressure. Atmospheric pressure: column of air weighing down. Doubles every ~10m down in water; halves every ~5km up in atmosphere.
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Question 3
Why do ears 'pop' when you go up high in a plane?
- A) Magnetic fields
- B) Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude; ear adjusts
- C) Gravity changes
- D) Temperature only
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Answer: Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude; ear adjusts
As you go up, air pressure drops. Pressure inside the ear is higher -> eardrum bulges out. The Eustachian tubes equalise the pressure (you hear the pop). Same when coming down (eardrum pushed in). Sudden altitude changes (planes, lifts, mountain drives) cause this. Why swallowing or yawning helps - opens the Eustachian tubes.
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14 more questions on Pressure in fluids — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Physics spec.