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Grade 11Mechanics

Why is pressure a scalar quantity even when it is made of force which is a vector quantity?

Profile image of Khushi
9 Years agoGrade 11
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3 Answers

Profile image of varsha
9 Years ago
pressure is scalar because it do not obey law of addition of vector.
we can’t say pressure is 10 P in this direction.  thus it is a scalar
 
Profile image of somi teez
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer9 Years ago
HI,
according to pascal’s law ,pressure is applied uniformly in all directions, even if perpendicular force is applied it gets over encosed ares uniformly,and one more point it doesnot satisfy triangle law of addition of vector,so it is not vector
 
Profile image of Manushi
8 Years ago
Yes, force is a vector quantity but while calculating pressure only the force perpendicular to surface is taken in account. Since only one component of force is considered in formula pressure, pressure is a scalar quantity.