Stress and pressure share units, but describe different loading
Both quantities involve force per area. Naming the force and the area carefully distinguishes tensile stress in a wire from pressure exerted on a surface.
Follow the reasoning
- Identify the load and its direction.
- Select the area normal to the relevant force.
- Express force per area in pascals.
Try it in a past paper 6
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 8
Identify ultimate tensile strength on a stress–strain graph.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Mechanical properties of matter before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 9
Interpret the giga prefix in a material’s modulus.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Mechanical properties of matter before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 15
Combine mass and length uncertainties when calculating density.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Density and pressure before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 2
Use repeated diameter readings, density and upthrust to analyse a floating cylinder.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Density and pressure before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
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Question 16
Recognise brittle behaviour on a stress–strain graph.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Mechanical properties of matter before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 20
Relate upthrust to the displaced water.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Density and pressure before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
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Specification outcomes (2)
- 3.4.2(c) Define and use stress, strain and ultimate tensile strength.
- 3.2.4(b) Define pressure; p = F / A for solids, liquids and gases.