This page covers SSC CHSL Physics — Everyday Concepts with complete concept notes, 28 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
28graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 28
Which physical quantity is measured in Hertz (Hz)?
Practice 2easy
Which of the following is the SI unit of energy?
Practice 3easy
Which physicist discovered the law of universal gravitation?
Practice 4easy
What is the SI unit of energy?
Practice 5easy
What is the SI unit of force?
Practice 6easy
Which of the following is an example of a scalar quantity?
Practice 7easy
Which scientist formulated the law of universal gravitation?
Practice 8easy
What is the SI unit of temperature?
Practice 9easy
Which of the following is the SI unit of electric current?
Practice 10medium
What is the phenomenon by which light bends when passing from one medium to another?
Practice 11medium
Which phenomenon is responsible for the formation of a rainbow after rainfall?
Practice 12medium
Which of the following best explains why a mirror produces a clear reflection while frosted glass does not?
Practice 13medium
Which of the following statements about friction is correct?
Practice 14medium
What is the primary reason that objects appear to have weight when standing on Earth's surface?
Practice 15medium
What is the SI unit of pressure?
Practice 16medium
Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between velocity and acceleration?
Practice 17medium
Which of the following phenomena explains why a wet surface dries faster on a windy day than on a calm day?
Practice 18hard
A car traveling at 20 m/s suddenly applies brakes and comes to rest in 4 seconds. Assuming uniform deceleration, what is the magnitude of the car's acceleration?
Practice 19hard
A person uses a convex lens of focal length 20 cm to view a small object placed 15 cm from the lens. What type of image is formed, and where?
Practice 20hard
In physics, the SI unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa). How many Pascals are equivalent to 1 atmosphere of pressure at sea level?
8 more practice questions in the Study Panel
Difficulty-graded, bookmarkable, with timed mode. Free account — no credit card.