Pressure

The diagram shows a straightforward mercury barometer. Which labelled length is used to determine atmospheric pressure?

Feb/March 2016

A tower is built on a table by stacking identical toy bricks on top of each other. Which graph represents the relationship between the pressure $P$ exerted by the tower on the table and the weight $W$ of the tower?

Feb/March 2016

A force is applied over an area to create a pressure. Which alterations give the same pressure?

Feb/March 2016

Several identical toy bricks are stacked to form a tower on a table. Which graph represents the relationship between the pressure $P$ exerted by the tower on the table and the weight $W$ of the tower?

Feb/March 2016

The diagrams illustrate two mercury barometers. In the diagram on the right, the tube has a greater diameter. In both tubes, there is a vacuum above the mercury. Which labelled position on the right-hand tube indicates the mercury level in the right-hand tube?

Feb/March 2017

The diagram illustrates four solid objects placed on a horizontal surface. Each object has the same weight, and all are shown to the same scale. Which object exerts the smallest pressure on the surface?

Feb/March 2017

A liquid column has height $h$, mass $m$ and density $\rho$. The gravitational field strength is $g$. Which expression gives the pressure caused by the liquid column?

Feb/March 2017

The diagrams illustrate two mercury barometers. In the diagram on the right, the tube has a greater diameter. In both tubes, the space above the mercury is a vacuum. At which labelled point on the right-hand tube is the mercury level in that tube shown?

Feb/March 2017

A tractor's front bucket is used to force fence posts into the ground, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1. Each post touches the ground over an area of 100 cm$^2$. When the bucket pushes on a post, the post exerts a downward force of 6500 N on the ground.

Feb/March 2017

Two beakers are each filled to an equal depth, with one containing water and the other containing oil. Water has a density of $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$, while oil has a density of $920\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. At which position is the pressure highest?

Feb/March 2018

A water manometer is attached to a gas supply. A gas leak occurs, causing the pressure of the gas supply to decrease. What change occurs to the water level at $P$ and what change occurs to the water level at $Q$?

Feb/March 2018

Inside a cylinder fitted with a tap is a fixed mass of gas $X$. A piston seals the gas and is free to slide either towards or away from the tap. After the tap is opened, the piston shifts a small distance to the right, in the direction of the tap. What can be deduced about the pressure of gas $X$?

Feb/March 2018

A water manometer is linked to a gas supply. If gas escapes through a leak and the pressure of the gas supply decreases, what change occurs to the water level at P, and what change occurs to the water level at Q?

Feb/March 2018

A submarine lies $20\,\text{m}$ below the sea surface. The pressure caused by the water at this depth is $P$. On another day, the submarine lies $26\,\text{m}$ below the surface of fresh water. The density of sea water is $1.3$ times the density of fresh water. What is the pressure caused by the fresh water at a depth of $26\,\text{m}$?

Feb/March 2018

A cylinder fitted with a tap holds a constant mass of gas X. The gas is enclosed by a piston that is free to move either towards or away from the tap. When the tap is opened, the piston shifts a little to the right, in the direction of the tap. What may be inferred about the pressure of gas X?

Feb/March 2018

Fig. 5.1 shows a sealed glass bottle with air trapped inside it. A cap closes the bottle, and the labels shown are cap and air.

Feb/March 2018

The diagram illustrates a U-tube manometer that contains three liquids: mercury, liquid X and liquid Y. Neither liquid X nor liquid Y is miscible with mercury. Which row compares the pressure applied by liquid X and by liquid Y to the mercury, and the density of liquid X and the density of liquid Y?

Feb/March 2019

Which diagram shows an athlete applying the smallest pressure to the ground?

Feb/March 2019

A car tyre passes over a nail, creating a puncture. The air inside the tyre escapes. Why does the air escape from the tyre?

Feb/March 2019

Which diagram shows the athlete applying the smallest pressure to the ground?

Feb/March 2019

The diagram represents a U-tube manometer filled with three liquids: mercury, liquid X and liquid Y. Liquid X and liquid Y do not mix with mercury. Which row compares the pressure applied to the mercury by liquid X and by liquid Y, together with the density of liquid X and the density of liquid Y?

Feb/March 2019

The height $h$ represents the atmospheric pressure value. State what is in the space labelled S.

Feb/March 2019

Diagram 1 depicts a tube closed at one end and partly dipped into mercury. The tube’s diameter is $d$. The top of the mercury inside the tube is at a height $h$ above the mercury reservoir. Diagram 2 shows a similar setup using a tube with diameter $2d$. What is the relationship between $h$ and $x$?

Feb/March 2020

A skier is motionless on a level patch of snow. The skier has a weight of $550\,\text{N}$. The combined area of contact between the skis and the ground is $0.015\,\text{m}^2$. Calculate the pressure exerted on the ground by the skier?

Feb/March 2020

A skier is at rest on a level patch of snow. The skier’s weight is $550\,\text{N}$. The combined area of the skis touching the ground is $0.015\,\text{m}^2$. What is the pressure exerted on the ground by the skier?

Feb/March 2020

A vertical cylinder is partly full of two liquids that do not mix. The liquids have different densities. A student measures the pressure caused by the liquids at various depths. Which graph shows how the liquid pressure changes between positions P and Q?

Feb/March 2020

The illustration shows a manometer linked to a gas supply. What pressure does the gas supply have?

Feb/March 2021

The diagram represents a box with dimensions $6.0\ \text{cm} \times 8.0\ \text{cm} \times 4.0\ \text{cm}$. The box is placed on a level horizontal surface. On which face should the box be placed so that it produces the smallest pressure?

Feb/March 2021

The diagram depicts a manometer attached to a gas supply. What is the gas supply pressure?

Feb/March 2021

The diagram depicts a box with dimensions $6.0\ \text{cm} \times 8.0\ \text{cm} \times 4.0\ \text{cm}$. The box is resting on a level horizontal surface. On which face should the box be placed so that it exerts the smallest pressure?

Feb/March 2021

Fig. 5.1 presents a metal block resting on a level surface. Fig. 5.1 labels: metal block; base dimensions 6.0 cm by 3.0 cm.

Feb/March 2021

Calculate the weight of the glass piece.

Feb/March 2021

The diagram illustrates a rectangular block of weight $16\,\text{N}$. It is resting on a horizontal surface. What is the pressure at the base of the block caused by its weight?

Feb/March 2023

A piston encloses a mass of gas in a cylinder. At the start, the piston is positioned halfway along the cylinder’s length. The piston is then pushed towards the cylinder’s open end. The gas temperature stays constant. What happens to the gas density and the gas pressure when the piston is moved?

Feb/March 2023

The diagram depicts a rectangular block with weight $16\ \text{N}$. It is placed on a level surface. What pressure is exerted at the base of the block by its weight?

Feb/March 2023

An oil tank has a base area of $2.5\ \text{m}^2$ and is filled with oil to a depth of $1.2\ \text{m}$. The oil has a density of $800\ \text{kg m}^{-3}$. What force does the oil exert on the base of the tank?

Feb/March 2023

A cuboid metal block has dimensions $2.5\,\text{cm} \times 3.0\,\text{cm} \times 4.5\,\text{cm}$. It is lying on the ground. The pressure exerted by the block on the ground is $0.23\,\text{N cm}^{-2}$. What is the weight of the metal block?

Feb/March 2024

The diagram represents a column of liquid. At the bottom of the liquid, the pressure produced by the liquid is $6000\,\text{N m}^{-2}$. Determine the density of the liquid.

Feb/March 2024

In Fig. 3.1, a computer is shown resting on a desk surface.

Feb/March 2024

Calculate the pressure exerted on the road by the car’s weight.

Feb/March 2024

The diagram depicts a solid block placed on a bench, with its dimensions indicated. To give the bench the least pressure, on which labelled face should the block be placed?

Feb/March 2025

A skier is at rest on a level patch of snow. The skier’s total weight is $550\,\text{N}$. The combined area of the skis in contact with the ground is $0.015\,\text{m}^2$. What pressure does the skier exert on the ground?

Feb/March 2025

A force acting on an area creates a pressure. Which changes would give the same pressure?

Feb/March 2025

A tall cylinder contains two immiscible liquids, partly filling it. These liquids have different densities. A student measures the pressure produced by the liquids at various depths. Which graph shows the way liquid pressure changes between positions P and Q?

Feb/March 2025

The diagram depicts three vases, each having the same base area. In every vase, the water is the same depth. Which statement correctly describes the water pressures at points $P$, $Q$ and $R$?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. When atmospheric pressure rises, which distance becomes greater?

May/June 2016

A T-shaped girder is resting on the ground at position X. It is then flipped over to position Y. What happens to the force on the ground, and what happens to the pressure on the ground?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a basic mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance gets larger?

May/June 2016

The diagram depicts four solid blocks made from the same metal. Each block has the same thickness and is placed on a bench, as shown. Which block of metal exerts the greatest pressure on the bench?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance gets larger?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. The pressure of the atmosphere gets greater. Which distance becomes larger?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance gets larger?

May/June 2016

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance becomes larger?

May/June 2016

Fig. 5.1 depicts two men mending a weak roof while standing on a crawler-board.

May/June 2016

Fig. 3.1 illustrates an oil tank with a rectangular base measuring 2.4 m by 1.5 m. The tank contains oil with density $850\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$ to a depth of 1.5 m.

May/June 2016

An archaeologist is examining a shipwreck and spots a wooden box resting on the seabed. Fig. 4.1 depicts the sea surface, with a wooden box and lid 15 m beneath it. The lid measures 1.2 m by 0.80 m. Atmospheric pressure is $1.0 \times 10^{5}\,\text{Pa}$.

May/June 2016

The diagram depicts a conical vessel that is completely filled with water. The pressure at point $X$ caused by the water is $p$. Point $Q$ is located a distance $h$ above point $X$. Which graph shows how the pressure caused by the water at $Q$ changes as distance $h$ varies?

May/June 2017

In diagram 1, a manometer filled with mercury (Hg) is linked to a gas tap. The tap is off, so the mercury levels on the two sides are equal. When the gas supply is switched on, the mercury in the tube joined to the supply drops by $40\,\text{mm}$ and the mercury in the tube open to the atmosphere rises by $40\,\text{mm}$, as shown in diagram 2. What pressure does the gas in the gas supply have?

May/June 2017

A student presses a drawing pin (thumb tack) into a notice board using her thumb. The pin enters the board, but it does not go into her thumb. Which statement accounts for this?

May/June 2017

A cube made of solid material has edges measuring $0.50\,\text{m}$ and a mass of $120\,\text{kg}$. It is resting on the ground with one face in contact. What pressure is exerted by the cube on the ground?

May/June 2017

Four distinct liquids are poured into four containers. The diagrams indicate the depth and density of the liquid in each container. In which container is the pressure at the base the greatest?

May/June 2017

Four separate liquids are placed into four containers. The diagrams indicate the depth and density of the liquid in each container. In which container is the pressure at the base greatest?

May/June 2017

Four different liquids are poured into four separate containers. The diagrams indicate the depth and density of the liquid in each container. In which container is the pressure at the base the greatest?

May/June 2017

The laboratory floor is finished with a surface that stops people slipping when it is wet.

May/June 2017

A packet of potato snack is brought aboard an aeroplane. As the aircraft flies, the pressure inside the cabin changes and the packet of potato snack alters its shape, as shown in Fig. 5.1. The packet carries the label 'POTATO SNACK'. One picture is labelled potato snack packet before flight and the other potato snack packet during flight.

May/June 2017

Fig. 4.1 illustrates a car tyre touching the road. The section of tyre in contact with the road has an area of $0.015\,m^2$. The tyre applies a pressure to the road of $240\,kN/m^2$.

May/June 2017

When the brake pedal in a car’s braking system is pushed, it turns about a pivot. Fig. 4.1 shows part of the braking system. The labels in Fig. 4.1 are: cylinder, piston, oil, link, pedal, pivot, distances of $8.0\,\text{cm}$ and $22\,\text{cm}$, and a force of $200\,\text{N}$ applied at the pedal.

May/June 2017

Four identical beakers are each filled to the same volume with liquids P or Q, as shown. Liquid P has a greater density than liquid Q. At which point is the pressure smallest?

May/June 2018

A woman’s weight is $600\,\text{N}$. She is standing on a flat floor. The area of contact between her feet and the floor is $0.050\,\text{m}^2$. What pressure does she apply to the floor?

May/June 2018

A thread of mercury seals air inside a closed tube. The mercury thread measures $100\ \text{mm}$ in length. The tube is positioned as shown. Atmospheric pressure is $770\ \text{mm Hg}$. What is the pressure of the trapped air?

May/June 2018

A simple barometer contains a mercury column. Which characteristic of this mercury column is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

May/June 2018

Four identical beakers contain equal volumes of liquids P or Q, as illustrated. Liquid P has a greater density than liquid Q. At which point is the pressure the smallest?

May/June 2018

An oil tank has a base with an area of $2.5\,\text{m}^2$ and contains oil up to a depth of $1.2\,\text{m}$. The oil has a density of $800\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. What force is acting on the base of the tank because of the oil?

May/June 2018

A submarine is submerged in water with density $1.0 \times 10^3\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. Its depth is altered, and the pressure acting on it changes by $0.10\,\text{MPa}$. What change in depth does the submarine experience?

May/June 2018

An oil tank has a base area of $2.5\,\text{m}^2$ and contains oil to a depth of $1.2\,\text{m}$. The oil has a density of $800\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. What force does the oil exert on the tank base?

May/June 2018

A basic barometer contains a mercury column. Which characteristic of this mercury column is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

May/June 2018

An oil tank has a base with area $2.5\,\text{m}^2$ and contains oil to a depth of $1.2\,\text{m}$. The density of the oil is $800\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. What force is produced on the base of the tank by the oil?

May/June 2018

Calculate the force exerted on the lid by the air in the can.

May/June 2018

A container with a rectangular base measures 0.12 m \times 0.16 m across its bottom. It contains a liquid, and the liquid’s mass is 4.8 kg.

May/June 2018

Fig. 2.1 illustrates a hollow metal cylinder that contains air and is floating in the sea.

May/June 2018

On one specific day, the atmospheric pressure measures $1.0 \times 10^{5}\,\text{Pa}$. A gas bubble is produced at a location 5.0 m beneath the lake surface. The density of water is $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$.

May/June 2018

Four identical submarines P, Q, R and S are moved from one depth to a deeper or shallower depth in water of uniform density. The starting and ending depths of each submarine are shown in the diagram. Which row gives the correct change in pressure from the starting depth to the ending depth of each submarine?

May/June 2019

The diagram shows a stone hanging from a string below the surface of a liquid. The liquid exerts a pressure on the stone. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

May/June 2019

The diagram depicts a stone hanging from a string below the surface of a liquid. The stone is subject to a pressure due to the liquid. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

May/June 2019

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. A modification is made, and the vertical height $h$ of the column rises. Which modification produces this rise?

May/June 2019

The diagram depicts a stone hanging from a string below the liquid’s surface. The liquid exerts a pressure on the stone. What change would make the pressure on the stone greater?

May/June 2019

The diagram shows a stone hanging from a string below the surface of a liquid. The stone is subjected to pressure produced by the liquid. What would cause the pressure on the stone to increase?

May/June 2019

The diagram illustrates a stone hanging from a string beneath the surface of a liquid. The liquid exerts a pressure on the stone. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

May/June 2019

The diagram shows a stone hanging from a string beneath the surface of a liquid. The stone is subjected to pressure due to the liquid. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

May/June 2019

Fig. 4.1 displays a pin, while Fig. 4.2 shows a person pressing the pin into a wall.

May/June 2019

A cube with side $0.040\,\text{m}$ is floating in a container of liquid. In Fig. 3.1, the liquid surface is $0.028\,\text{m}$ above the level of the cube’s bottom face. The diagram is labelled air, cube, liquid, valve, pump, and the dimensions $0.040\,\text{m}$ and $0.028\,\text{m}$. Air above the cube exerts a force on the cube’s top face. The valve remains closed.

May/June 2019

State and explain, in molecular terms, any change in the pressure of a gas when the volume is reduced at a constant temperature.

May/June 2019

Fig. 3.1 depicts a small submarine lying beneath the sea surface. The submarine is $3.0 \times 10^3\,\text{m}$ below the surface.

May/June 2019

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The area of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure is produced on the table by the book?

May/June 2021

A mercury barometer is used for measuring atmospheric pressure. Which distance provides a reading for the atmospheric pressure?

May/June 2021

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The part of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure is applied to the table by the book?

May/June 2021

The diagrams depict three containers, P, Q and R, each holding the same liquid. In every container, the liquid has the same depth. Which statement correctly describes the pressure of the liquid at the base of the container?

May/June 2021

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The area of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure does the book exert on the table?

May/June 2021

The diagram illustrates a device used to measure atmospheric pressure. What is the name of this device?

May/June 2021

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The area of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure does the book exert on the table?

May/June 2021