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Question

What is the force acting on a unit area of a surface called?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CHSL 2025 Tier 1 Question Paper (21-Nov-2025) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

Pressure

The quantity described, the force acting on a unit area of a surface, is by definition Pressure.

It is expressed mathematically as \(\text{Pressure} = \dfrac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}}\), where the force considered is the component acting perpendicular (normal) to the surface, divided by the area over which it is spread.

Pressure is a scalar quantity, and its SI unit is the pascal (Pa), defined as \(1\ \text{Pa} = 1\ \text{N/m}^2\), that is, one newton distributed over one square metre.

For the same force, a smaller contact area gives a larger pressure, which is why a sharp knife or a pin exerts high pressure, while broad snowshoes reduce pressure on soft snow.

Weight is the gravitational force acting on a body's mass, measured in newtons; it is a force, not a force per unit area, so it does not fit the definition.

Work is the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force, measured in joules, while 'force density' is not the standard scientific term for force per unit area.

Hence, the correct answer is Pressure.

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Important Questions from Pressure

  1. The pressure inside the cabin of the aircraft flying at an altitude is

    A. The same as that outside.

    B. Less than that outside.

    C. More than that outside.

    D. Normal atmospheric pressure at sea level.
  2. What is the effect of pressure of a human body on sand ?

  3. How many Pascals are equivalent to $0.25$ bar?
  4. A camel can walk/run in deserts very easily as compared to horse, donkey etc, because is-

  5. The spring constant of a spring depends on its ___________.

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