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Practice questions · Pressure

Force over area.

Six original Cambridge-style questions on calculating pressure, using weight as the force, rearranging for area, and explaining everyday high and low pressure designs.

Original questions All questions on this page are original work, written in the Cambridge IGCSE style. They are not from past papers. They test the same concepts and skills the syllabus rewards.
Divide by area

p = F ÷ A, in pascals.

01
[2 marks]

Define pressure, write the equation for it, and state its unit.

  • Pressure is the force acting per unit area; p = F ÷ A. ✓
  • Unit: pascal (Pa), where 1 Pa = 1 N/m². ✓
02
Calculation
[2 marks]

A force of 200 N acts on an area of 0.40 m². Calculate the pressure.

p = F ÷ A = 200 ÷ 0.40

500 Pa

03
Calculation
[3 marks]

A crate of mass 12 kg rests on the floor on a face of area 0.60 m². Using g = 10 N/kg, calculate the pressure it exerts on the floor.

weight W = mg = 12 × 10 = 120 N p = F ÷ A = 120 ÷ 0.60

200 Pa

the force is the weight, not the mass

04
Analysis
[2 marks]

Explain why a sharp knife cuts more easily than a blunt one when pressed with the same force.

  • A sharp blade has a much smaller contact area. ✓
  • For the same force, p = F ÷ A gives a much higher pressure, so it cuts more easily. ✓
05
Analysis
[2 marks]

Explain why a heavy tractor is fitted with wide tyres so that it can drive over soft, muddy ground.

  • Wide tyres give a large contact area. ✓
  • For the tractor’s weight, a larger area gives a lower pressure, so it does not sink into the mud. ✓
06
Calculation
[2 marks]

A force of 1000 N produces a pressure of 400 Pa on a surface. Calculate the contact area.

A = F ÷ p = 1000 ÷ 400

A = 2.5 m²

Mark this once you have attempted all six and checked your working. It records a Practiced badge on the topic and adds a one-time bonus. Revealing the solutions alone does not count.