This deep dive covers Pressure in Fluids (Liquids and Gases) within Pressure for GCSE Physics. Revise Pressure in Forces for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 3 of 16 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 16
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
🌊 Pressure in Fluids (Liquids and Gases)
A fluid is any substance that can flow — this includes both liquids and gases. Pressure in a fluid behaves differently from pressure on a solid surface. There are three key rules:
- Fluids exert pressure in ALL directions — not just downward. A submarine at depth has water pressing in on it from all sides, not just from above.
- Pressure increases with depth — the deeper you go, the greater the weight of fluid above you.
- Pressure at a given depth is the same in all directions at that point.
The formula for pressure due to a column of liquid is:
Where h = depth below the surface, ρ (rho) = density of the liquid, and g = 9.8 N/kg on Earth. This is a Higher equation.