This page covers Agniveer Army CEE Physics — Everyday Concepts with complete concept notes, 10 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Pressure is a fundamental physics concept that appears regularly in SSC CGL exams. It measures how much force is applied per unit area. Think of it as 'force concentration' - the same force spread over a smaller area creates higher pressure. Core Concept: Pressure = Force ÷ Area. When you press a drawing pin into a board, the sharp point creates high pressure because the same force is concentrated on a tiny area. This is why pins pierce easily but your finger pressing with the same force cannot.
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
Pressure is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to area. Double the force, double the pressure. Double the area, halve the pressure. Pressure acts in all directions in fluids (Pascal's Law).
At any point in a stationary fluid, pressure is the same in all directions.
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Pressure (P) = Force (F) ÷ Area (A)
Fluid Pressure = Density × g × Height
Atmospheric Pressure = 1.013 × 10^5 Pa = 760 mm Hg
Units: Pascal (Pa), N/m², Bar, Atmosphere, mm Hg
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC asks about atmospheric pressure values, pressure applications (hydraulic systems, barometers), and calculation problems. Questions often involve pressure differences at heights, pressure in liquids, and practical applications like syringes, pumps.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Remember 'FAPA' - Force and Area are in Pressure Always. Increase Force = Increase Pressure. Increase Area = Decrease Pressure.
For fluid pressure, remember 'DGH' - Density × Gravity × Height.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Identify given values - Force = 200 N, Area = 4 m²
2
Step 2
Apply formula - Pressure = Force ÷ Area
3
Step 3
Substitute values - Pressure = 200 ÷ 4
4
Step 4
Calculate - Pressure = 50 N/m² or 50 Pa
Another Example: If the same 200 N force acts on 2 m² area instead:
Pressure = 200 ÷ 2 = 100 Pa
Notice: Half the area means double the pressure.
Shortcut for Unit Conversion: 1 Bar = 10^5 Pa. For quick conversion, Bar to Pa - add 5 zeros. Pa to Bar - remove 5 zeros.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often confuse force with pressure. Remember - force is push or pull, pressure is force per unit area. Another mistake is forgetting that liquid pressure depends on depth (height of liquid column), not the total volume.
A thin tube and wide tank at same depth have equal pressure at bottom.
Practical Applications tested: Hydraulic brakes work on Pascal's law. Barometers measure atmospheric pressure. Syringes work due to pressure difference.
Mountain climbers face low pressure at heights. Deep sea divers face high pressure underwater.
Key Points to Remember
Pressure = Force ÷ Area - fundamental formula for all pressure calculations
Atmospheric pressure at sea level = 1.013 × 10^5 Pa = 760 mm Hg
Liquid pressure = Density × g × Height, independent of container shape
Pascal's Law: Pressure applied to confined fluid transmits equally in all directions
High pressure created by small area (needle, knife) for cutting applications
Pressure decreases with altitude - 1% decrease per 80m height gain
Barometer measures atmospheric pressure using mercury column height
Hydraulic systems multiply force using pressure and area relationship
Exam-Specific Tips
Standard atmospheric pressure = 1.013 × 10^5 Pascal = 1.013 Bar
Mercury barometer reading at sea level = 760 mm Hg = 76 cm Hg
Pressure unit Pascal named after French scientist Blaise Pascal
1 Bar = 10^5 Pascal = 0.987 atmosphere approximately
Density of mercury = 13,600 kg/m³ used in barometer calculations
Blood pressure measured in mm Hg using sphygmomanometer
Pressure at 10m underwater depth = 2 atmospheric pressure
Hydraulic jack multiplies force based on area ratio principle
Practice MCQs
Physics — Everyday Concepts — Practice Questions
10graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
An army vehicle moving at 20 m/s suddenly applies brakes and comes to rest in 5 seconds. What is the magnitude of deceleration experienced by the vehicle?
Practice 2easy
A soldier's water bottle feels cold to the touch when filled with ice water. The cold sensation occurs because heat flows from the soldier's hand to the ice water. Which mode of heat transfer is primarily responsible?
Practice 3easy
When a soldier aims a rifle at a target, the bullet follows a curved path downward after leaving the barrel. Which physics concept explains this curved motion?
Practice 4medium
A soldier carries a rifle of mass 4 kg and moves at a constant velocity of 5 m/s during a patrol. What is the net force acting on the soldier and rifle system?
Practice 5medium
During a military exercise, a tank accelerates uniformly from rest and reaches a velocity of 20 m/s in 10 seconds. What is the acceleration of the tank?
Practice 6medium
An army jeep of mass 1000 kg experiences a friction force of 2000 N while braking. Approximately how long will it take to stop from an initial velocity of 20 m/s?
Practice 7medium
A soldier lifts a 50 kg ammunition box vertically at constant velocity. What is the magnitude of the lifting force exerted by the soldier? (Take g = 10 m/s²)
Practice 8medium
During a defensive operation, a soldier throws a grenade horizontally from a height of 20 m with an initial velocity of 15 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, what is the time taken for the grenade to reach the ground? (Take g = 10 m/s²)
Practice 9hard
During a military parachute operation, a soldier jumps from an aircraft at 2000 m altitude. If air resistance is negligible and g = 10 m/s², what is the velocity of the soldier just before the parachute opens at 500 m altitude?
Practice 10hard
A soldier uses a rifle scope to shoot a target 400 m away. Due to gravity, the bullet drops vertically while traveling horizontally. If the bullet is fired horizontally with initial velocity 800 m/s and g = 10 m/s², what is the vertical drop of the bullet when it reaches the target?
60-Second Revision — Physics — Everyday Concepts
Formula: Pressure = Force ÷ Area, units Pascal or N/m²
Remember: 1 atm = 1.013 × 10^5 Pa = 760 mm Hg
Liquid pressure depends only on depth, not container shape or volume
Pascal's Law: Pressure transmits equally in all directions in fluids
Applications: Hydraulic brakes, barometers, syringes all use pressure principles
Trap: Don't confuse force with pressure - pressure is force per unit area
Quick conversion: 1 Bar = 10^5 Pa (add/remove 5 zeros)