Pascal (unit)

Unit of pressure in the International System of Units

For other uses, see Pascal (unit) (disambiguation).

Pascal (unit)

The pascal (symbol: Pa) is the SI derived unit of pressure used to quantify internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus, and ultimate tensile strength. It is named after Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and inventor.

A diagram illustrating pressure in a fluid.

One pascal is defined as one newton per square metre. It is a measure of force per unit area, and is used to describe the magnitude of pressure in a system. The pascal is widely used in various fields, including engineering, meteorology, and medicine.

Definition

The pascal is defined as:

1 Pa = 1 N/m_

where N is the newton, the SI unit of force, and m_ is the square metre, the SI unit of area.

Applications

Engineering

In engineering, the pascal is used to measure stress and strain in materials. It is also used in the design and analysis of structures to ensure they can withstand the forces they encounter.

Meteorology

In meteorology, atmospheric pressure is often measured in hectopascals (hPa), where 1 hPa = 100 Pa. This unit is commonly used in weather reports and forecasts.

Medicine

In medicine, the pascal is used to measure blood pressure and other physiological pressures. It is important for understanding the forces exerted by fluids within the body.

Related units

The pascal is related to other units of pressure, such as the bar, atmosphere, and torr. These units are often used in specific contexts or industries.

Related pages

• Pressure
• Blaise Pascal
• Newton (unit)
• SI derived unit