Question:

Explain why 

(a) The blood pressure in humans is greater at the feet than at the brain 

(b) Atmospheric pressure at a height of about 6 km decreases to nearly half of its value at the sea level, though the height of the atmosphere is more than 100 km 

(c) Hydrostatic pressure is a scalar quantity even though pressure is force divided by area.

Updated On: Nov 3, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

The pressure of a liquid is given by the relation: P = hρg
Where, P = Pressure
h = Height of the liquid column
ρ = Density of the liquid
g = Acceleration due to the gravity
It can be inferred that pressure is directly proportional to height. Hence, the blood pressure in human vessels depends on the height of the blood column in the body. The height of the blood column is more at the feet than it is at the brain. Hence, the blood pressure at the feet is more than it is at the brain. Density of air is the maximum near the sea level. Density of air decreases with increase in height from the surface. At a height of about 6 km, density decreases to nearly half of value at the sea level. Atmospheric pressure is proportional to density. Hence, at a height of 6 km from the surface, it decreases to nearly half of its value at the sea level. When force is applied on a liquid, the pressure in the liquid is transmitt Hence, hydrostatic pressure does not have a fixed direction and it is a scalar physical quantity.

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Concepts Used:

Pressure

Pressure is defined as the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.

Everyday examples of pressure are:

  • The working of the vacuum cleaner is an example of pressure. The fan inside the vacuum creates a low-pressure region which makes it easy to suck the dust particles inside the vacuum.
  • Using a knife for cutting is another example of pressure. The area exposed from the knife is small but the pressure is high enough to cut the vegetables and fruits.

Formula:

When a force of ‘F’ Newton is applied perpendicularly to a surface area ‘A’, then the pressure exerted on the surface by the force is equal to the ratio of F to A. The formula for pressure (P) is:

P = F / A

Units of Pressure:

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.