Question

Atmospheric pressure is about 1.00 × 105 Pa on average.A. What is the downward force of the air on a desktop with surface area 2.59 m2?B. Convert the downward force of the air on a desktop with surface area 2.59 m2 to pounds to help others understand how large it is.

Answer 1

A)

The formula for calculating pressure is expressed as

pressure = force/area

From the information given,

pressure = 1.0 x 10^5 pa

Recall, 1 pa = 1 N/m^2

This means that

pressure = 1.0 x 10^5 N/m^2

surface area = 2.59 m^2

Force = pressure x area

Force = 1.0 x 10^5 x 2.59 = 259000 N

Recall,

B)

1 newton = 0.224808943 pounds

259000 newtons = 259000 x 0.224808943

= 58226 pounds