The moment of force or torque on a fixed object at a point or axis is the turning effect of force. The product of force and the pivot’s vertical distance from the force’s line of action is used to calculate torque.

The moment of force is equal to the force multiplied by the pivot’s perpendicular distance from the force.

So, the moment of force = force x perpendicular distance of the object from its axis.

The S.I. unit of moment of force is Newton metre or Nm.

The pressure is the force exerted on a unit area. You must have experienced that it is easier to use a sharp knife instead of a blunt knife. The use of a sharp knife is better because the sharp end of a knife has a smaller area and thus exerts more pressure. Similarly, it is easier to push a nail’s pointed side into a wall than its flat side.

So, Pressure= force/Area or P =F/A.

Not only solids but liquids and gases also exert pressure. The S.I. pressure unit is Pascal. The force of 1 Newton applied on an area with a one-metre square dimension is one Pascal.

We know that pressure is measured by dividing the amount of force by the area experiencing that force. So, the factors affecting pressure are –

• Force
• Area

Just as solids, liquids also exert pressure. Their container mostly experiences the pressure exerted by liquids. This pressure arises from several factors such as gravitational force, acceleration, or the force exerted by a closed container.

The pressure in liquids is applied in all directions as all the molecules are tightly packed, and liquids are shapeless.

P = hρg or

Pressure = Depth of liquid X Density of the liquid X Gravitational force (9.81m/s).

When the depth of a fluid column increases, so does the pressure. Pressure tends to increase because, as you go to a greater depth, liquid at a lesser depth must also sustain liquid above it. To describe fluid pressure, we can say that it is the pressure that arises at a point within a liquid due to the fluid’s density or the liquid’s weight above it.

An item that is wholly or partially immersed in liquid experiences a higher pressure on its lower portion than on its upper layer, which creates the resulting upward force. This force is called buoyancy and is also known as upthrust.

All fluids exert pressure on their containers. Just like liquids, gases also exert pressure on the walls of their container. Gases are homogeneous and hence exert the same pressure in all directions.

The pressure exerted by gases is affected by temperature, gas volume, and the number of molecules. With the increase in temperature, the gases gain more energy and thus exert increased force and pressure. As the volume of the gases decreases, the pressure exerted by them increases. As the number of molecules of gas rises, the gas pressure also increases.

The atmosphere or the air surrounding us also exerts pressure. The force exerted by a column of air on a unit area of any surface is known as the atmospheric pressure on Earth’s surface. The value of atmospheric pressure is about 1Kg/cm² or 105 Pascal, which is very high. But we do not experience this pressure as our blood pressure counters and balances it.

The value of atmospheric pressure is maximum at sea level, and it gradually decreases with elevation or height. As we move towards hilly areas, the atmospheric pressure becomes significantly less. Working of a dropper, syringe, pump, and even straws are all examples of atmospheric pressure.

There is a direct connection between force and pressure. As force is divided amongst the area, the area is inversely proportional to pressure. So, with an increase in area, the pressure decreases provided the force remains constant.

1. What is meant by thrust?
   A force that is applied perpendicular to the surface is known as thrust.
   
2. The moment of force is a scalar quantity or a vector quantity?
   The moment of force is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction.
3. How does force affect pressure?
   With an increase in force, Pressure increases provided that the area remains constant.
4. Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?
   The measurement of atmospheric pressure takes place with the help of an instrument called a Barometer.