ANSWERS

Catholic High School Submit by:

Level 3 Physics: 2023

Worksheet

(06) Pressure

Name: ( ) Class: Date:

Multiple Choice Questions 3) Two cubes are made from the same
1) The diagram shows a glass block resting on material. One cube has sides that are twice
a table top. as long as the other.

The area of the block in contact with the table

is X and the area of the table top is Y. The
weight of the block is Q and the weight of the Standing on one face, the small cube exerts
table is R. W
a pressure P = , where a is the area of the
a
Which expression gives the pressure exerted face.
on the table by the block?
A Q B Q What is the pressure exerted by the larger
cube standing on one of its faces?
X Y
C R D R A 2P B 4P
C 8P D 16 P
X Y
[N12/I/11] ( ) [N97/I/12] ( )

2) A brick of weight 80 N stands upright as 4) Which object exerts the greatest pressure on
shown. the ground?
weight / N area of contact with
the ground / cm2
A 30 100
B 500 150
C 750 300
D 10000 4000
[N09/I/09] ( )

What is the pressure exerted on the ground?

A 80 B 20 × 10
N/cm2 N/cm2
20 × 10 80
C 80 D 80
N/cm2 N/cm2
10 × 5 20 × 10
[N08/I/13] ( )

Page 1 of 10
5) The masses and corresponding volumes of 9) A bottle is filled with water. A cap is put on
three liquids X, Y and Z are recorded. the bottle and it is turned upside down. There
is no air in the bottle.
The three liquids, which do not mix, are
poured into a beaker as shown in the figure
above.

Starting from the top, what is the order of

the liquids?

A Y, Z, X B X, Y, Z
The area of the cap in contact with the water
C Y, X, Z D X, Z, Y
is 4 × 10-4 m2.
( )
The density of water is 1000 kg/m3 and the
6) A bottle full of water has a mass of 45 g.
gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg.
When it is filled up with an unknown liquid, X,
its mass is 360 g.
The water produces a force on the cap.
If the mass of the empty bottle is 20 g, what
What is the value of this force?
is the density of the unknown liquid, X, in
A 0.075 N B 0.12 N
g cm-3 ?
C 1.2 N D 13 N
[N10/I/11] ( )
The density of water is 1.0 g cm-3.
10) A glass vessel is connected to the side-arm
A 8.0 B 13.0
through a tap.
C 13.6 D 18.0
( )
With the tap closed, the depth of water in the
vessel is h, when the tap is opened, water
7) The results obtained in an experiment to
flows into the side-arm. The depth of the
determine the density of a plastic material
water falls.
are illustrated in the figures.
The diagram on the right shows the water
What is the density of the material in
levels before they have settled.
g cm-3?

A 4.4 × 10-2 B 5.3 × 10-2

C 25 × 10-2 D 400 × 10-2 When the levels have settled, which
( ) statement is true?
A h=x B y=x
8) Which statement about the pressure in a C h–y=x D h–x=y
column of liquid is correct? [N10/I/12] ( )
A It acts only vertically downwards.
B It increases if the column width
increases.
C It increases with depth in the column.
D It is uniform throughout the column.
[J08/I/12] ( )

Page 2 of 10
11) The system shown in the diagram contains 14) The diagram shows a simple mercury
an incompressible liquid. barometer.

A downward force of 80 N is exerted on

piston K.

What will be the upward force on piston L?

A 1N B 4N
C 80 N D 1600 N What happen to the distance h when the
mercury barometer is taken up in a balloon?
[J02/I/11 / N14/1/11] ( )
A It decreases because atmospheric
pressure increases with height.
12) A fish swims at a depth of 8 m below the B It decreases because atmospheric
surface of a lake. pressure decreases with height.
C It increases because atmospheric
Atmospheric pressure is 1.0  105 Pa. pressure increases with height.
D It increases because atmospheric
The density of water is 1000 kg/m3 and the pressure decreases with height.
gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg. [N08/I/12] ( )

What is the total pressure at this depth? 15) An open tube stands, with one end in
A 1.1  105 Pa B 1.8  105 Pa mercury, in a chamber that is connected to a
C 2.0  10 Pa
5 D 8.0  105 Pa gas supply.
[N12/I/12] ( )
The pressure of the gas is P metres of
13) The diagrams show a simple mercury mercury. The atmospheric pressure is h
barometer. metres of mercury.

Which one shows the distance to be

measured to find atmospheric pressure?

If x and y are measured in metres, the

pressure P in metres of mercury is equal to
A x+h B x–h
C x D x+y
[N13/I/14] ( )

[J90/I/9, J03/1/11] (C )

Page 3 of 10
16) Diagram X shows a water manometer before 17) A manometer is connected to a gas supply.
it is connected to a gas supply.

Diagram Y shows a water manometer when

it is connected to a gas supply.

Pressure can be measured in cm of water.

What is the pressure of the gas?
A 8 cm of water less than atmospheric
What is the excess pressure of the gas pressure
supply above atmospheric pressure? B 12 cm of water less than atmospheric
A 10 cm of water B 20 cm of water pressure
C 40 cm of water D 50 cm of water C 8 cm of water more than atmospheric
[N09/I/10] ( ) pressure
D 12 cm of water more than atmospheric
pressure
[N93/I/10, J04/I/15 similar] ( )

Structured Questions
1) The figure below shows a hydraulic press used to punch a hole in a thin sheet of metal.
[N15/IIA/3 part]

(a) The operator exerts a force F on the piston P. The atmospheric pressure also exerts
a force on P in the same direction as F. Piston P remains stationary.

The pressure inside the oil is 3.0 × 105 Pa and the atmospheric pressure is
1.0 × 105 Pa.

The cross-sectional area of piston P is 3.0 × 10-5 m2.

The weight of piston Q is negligible.

(i) Calculate
1. the force that the oil exerts on piston P, [2]
p = F/A
F = p × A = (3.0 × 105)(3.0 × 10-5) = 9.0 N
2. the force that the atmosphere exerts on piston P, [1]

Page 4 of 10
 p = F/A
F=p×A
= (1.0 × 105)(3.0 × 10-5) = 3.0 N

3. the value of F. [1]

F = 9.0 – 3.0 = 6.0 N
(Since piston P is stationary, the force exerted by the oil must be
balanced by the force exerted by the atmosphere and operator, F.)
(ii) Explain how this apparatus ensures that the force exerted on the metal plate [1]
at R is greater than F.

The pressure exerted on piston P will be the same as on piston Q.

Therefore by piston Q having a bigger cross-sectional area than P, the
force exerted on Q will be larger than F.

2) The cylindrical piston of a hydraulic press has a diameter of 30 cm and the plunger (smaller piston)
has a diameter of 5.0 cm. Calculate

(a) the upward thrust of the piston produced by a thrust of 250 N on the plunger, [2]
assuming a 100% work efficiency, and
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 𝟐𝟓𝟎 F𝟐
=  =
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 𝟓.𝟎 𝟐 𝟑𝟎 𝟐 [1]
𝝅( ) 𝝅( )
𝟐 𝟐
𝟐𝟓𝟎(𝟑𝟎)𝟐
 F2 = = 9000 N (3 [1]
(𝟓.𝟎)𝟐
s.f.)

(b) the distance travelled by the piston when the plunger moves 60 cm. [2]
Work done by plunger = Work done by piston
F1 × x1 = F2 × x2
250 × 60 = (9000) × d [1]
d = 1.7 cm (2 s.f.) [1]

3) A small bubble of air rises to the surface from the bottom of a lake of depth 20.0 m. The
Atmospheric pressure acting at the surface of the lake is 1.00 × 105 Pa. The local value of
the gravitational force acting on a mass of 1.00 kg is 10.0 N. The density of water is
1.00 × 103 kg/m3.

Calculate the change in pressure exerted on the bubble as it rises from the bottom of the [2]
lake to the surface. [N96/II/4 part]
P = (h)g = (20.0)(1.0 × 103)(10) [1]
= 200 000 = 2.0 × 105 Pa (2 s.f.) [1]

Page 5 of 10
4) The figure shows a piece of glass being lifted
by a suction cup.

Air is removed from the cup by a vacuum pump

and a partial vacuum is created inside the cup.
Atmospheric pressure outside pushes the glass
onto the cup.

The area of the glass covered by the cup is 0.0025 m2. The pressure inside the cup is reduced to
60 000 Pa. Atmospheric pressure outside is 100 000 Pa. [J00/II/2]

(a) Calculate the greatest weight of glass that can be lifted with this cup. [2]
Greatest weight of glass that can be lifted
= (Δp)A = (100 000 - 60 000) × 0.0025 [1]
= 100 N (3 s.f.) [1]

(b) State two changes that would allow a suction cup to lift a heavier piece of glass. [2]
1. Use a larger suction cup (to increase the area of the glass in contact with the [1]
suction cup).
2. Reduce the pressure in the partial vacuum further (by pumping more air out [1]
from the partial vacuum).

5) The figure shows two vertical tubes P and Q,

each closed at the upper end. The pressure in
the space above the mercury meniscus in tube
P is negligibly small. There is a small amount of
air in this space in tube Q.

The density of mercury is 13.6  103 kg/m3. The

gravitational force on a mass of 1.00 kg is 10.0
N.

Using the data given in the figure, determine

[J94/II/3]
(a) the atmospheric pressure, in Pa, [2]
𝟕𝟓.𝟎
Patm = hg = ( )(13.6 x 103)(10.0) [1]
𝟏𝟎𝟎
[1]
= 102 000 Pa (3 s.f.)

(b) the pressure, in Pa, exerted by the air in the space at the top of tube Q. [2]
Patm = Pgas + PHg
Pgas = Patm - PHg
= (75.0 - 60.0) cm Hg
= 15.0 cm Hg [1]
𝟏𝟓.𝟎
= ( )(13.6 x 103)(10)
𝟏𝟎𝟎
[1]
= 20 400 Pa (3 s.f.)

OR:
Pgas = (h)g
𝟕𝟓.𝟎−𝟔𝟎.𝟎 [1]
=( )(13.6 x 103)(10)
𝟏𝟎𝟎 [1]
= 20 400 Pa (3 s.f.)

Page 6 of 10
6) The figure shows a manometer attached to a
sealed container filled with gas.

The water in the manometer has a density of

1000 kg/m3.

Atmospheric pressure is 1.0 × 105 Pa and the

acceleration for free fall, g, is
10 m/s2. [N11/IIA/1 part]

(a) Define pressure. [1]

Force acting per unit area
(normal to direction of
force)

(b) Calculate the pressure of the gas inside the sealed container. [2]
Pg = Pw + Patm
= hg + 1.0 × 105
= (0.600 × 1000 × 10) + 1.0 × 105
= 1.06 × 105 Pa

Page 7 of 10
7) Fig. 1 shows a mercury barometer used to measure air pressure and Fig. 2 shows a mercury
manometer used to measure the pressure of the gas in a container. [J80/I/3]

Mark on the barometer,

(a) a point P where the pressure is almost zero, [1]

(b) point Q where the pressure is 20 cm of mercury below atmospheric pressure. [1]

Mark on the manometer,

(c) point R where the pressure is 5 cm of mercury higher than atmospheric pressure, [1]

(d) point S where the pressure has a maximum value. [1]

P
(At top of mercury column)

R
Q
(At 25
(At 20 cm marking) cm
marking)

S
(Anywhere along lowest
point of manometer)

Page 8 of 10
8) The figure shows a U-tube filled with three
* immiscible liquids A, B and C.

If the density of the liquid A is 1.0 g cm-3 and

the density of liquid C is 1.3 g cm-3, find the A
density of liquid B. [3]
B
Let density of liquids A & B be A & B.

Taking pressure at a level 5 cm above the

horizontal level,
C
5.0 cm 6.0 cm 11.4 cm 12.0 cm

Patm + hAAg + hCCg = Patm + hBBg

hAA + hCC = h B B
(12 - 6)(1.0) + (6 - 5)(1.3) = (11.4 - 5)B
(6)(1.0) + (1)(1.3) = (6.4)B
7.3 = (6.4)B
B = 1.14 g cm-3 (3 s. f.) [1]

OR:
Taking pressure at the horizontal level U-tube is resting on,
Patm + hAAg + hCCg = Patm + hBBg+ hCCg
hAAg + hCCg = hBBg + hCCg
[1]
hAA + hCC = hBB + hCC

(12 - 6)(1.0) + (6)(1.3)

= (11.4 - 5)B + (5)(1.3) [1]
B = 1.14 g cm-3 (3 s. f.)

Page 9 of 10
*Data-Based Question
[Swiss Cottage Sec, 2008 Sec 4 Preliminary Examinations]

9) In an experiment to investigate Bernoulli’s Principle on the

wing of an aircraft, the air velocity and pressure are
recorded, as shown in the table below, when the aircraft
moves through air. The figure on the right shows how the
air flow passes the wing. The velocity above the wing is
faster than the velocity below the wing.

Bernoulli’s Principle explains why there is a pressure

difference above and below the wing, which produces lift.
Lift is an upward force produced on the wings of an aircraft
allowing it to fly.

Aircraft Speed /m s-1 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0

Air Velocity / m s-1 36.0 48.0 60.0 72.0 84.0 96.0
Above Wing
Air Pressure/ Pa 551 980 1531 2205 3001 3920
Air Velocity / m s-1 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
Below Wing
Air Pressure / Pa 794 1411 2205 3175 4322 5645

(a) Based on the data provided above, state the relationship between the speed of the [1]
aircraft and the air pressure difference above and below the wing.

The higher the speed of the aircraft, the greater the air pressure difference. [1]
(b) Bernoulli’s principle states that an increase in the speed of air will result in a decrease [2]
in pressure and the decrease in the speed of air will result in an increase in pressure.

Explain briefly how a ‘lift’ (upward force) is produced on the wing that enables the
aircraft to fly.
As air moves faster above the wing, the pressure above the wing is lower than [1]
at the bottom of the wing.
As a result, an upward force acting on the wing is produced. Once the lift is [1]
larger than the downward force (weight), the aircraft will fly.

(c) Calculate the lift force produced when the aircraft is moving at 30 m/s, given that the [2]
area of the wing is 25 m2.
At 30 m/s, pressure difference = 794 - 551 = 243 Pa

Lift = p × A = 243 × 25 [1]

= 6075 N
= 6.08 x 103 N (3 s.f.) [1]

(d) Given that the weight of the aircraft is 50 kN, estimate the speed of the aircraft [2]
required in order for it to take off from the ground. The aircraft has two wings.
Required lift on each wing = 50000 ÷ 2 = 25000 N

Pressure difference = F ÷ A
= 25000 ÷ 25 = 1000 Pa [1]

From the table, required aircraft speed ≈ 70 m/s [1]

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