Pascal (original) (raw)
This article is about the unit of pressure. For other uses see Pascal (disambiguation)
The pascal (symbol Pa) is the SI unit of pressure. It is equivalent to one newton per square metre. The unit is named after Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist and philosopher.
Since 1 Pa is a small pressure, the unit hectopascal (symbol hPa) is more widely used, especially in meteorology. The unit kilopascal (symbol kPa) is also in common use.
1 hectopascal = 100 pascal = 1 millibar.
1 kilopascal = 1000 pascal
The same unit is used to measure stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength.
Examples of various values (approximately)
| 0.5 Pa | Atmospheric pressure on Pluto (1988 figure; very roughly) |
|---|---|
| 10 (really 9,81) Pa | The pressure at a depth of 1 mm of water |
| 1 kPa | Atmospheric pressure on |
10 kPa
The pressure at a depth of 1 m of water, or
the drop in air pressure when going from sea level to 1000 m elevation
100 kPa
Atmospheric pressure at sea level
10 MPa
Pressure washer forces out water at this pressure
100 MPa
Pressure at bottom of Marianas Trench, about 10 km under ocean
10 GPa
Diamond forms
100 GPa
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
Comparison to other units of pressure
| 1 bar | 100,000 Pa |
|---|---|
| 1 millibar | 100 Pa |
| 1 atmosphere | 101,325 Pa |
| 1 |
133 Pa
1 inch Hg*
3,386 Pa
*rounded
External links
[http://www.ex.ac.uk/cimt/dictunit/ccpress.htm Conversion Calculator for Units of PRESSURE & STRESS]