Pascal

This article is about the unit of pressure. For other uses see Pascal (disambiguation)

The pascal (symbol Pa) is the SI unit of pressure. It is equivalent to one newton per square metre. The unit is named after Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist and philosopher.

Since 1 Pa is a small pressure, the unit hectopascal (symbol hPa) is more widely used, especially in meteorology. The unit kilopascal (symbol kPa) is also in common use.

1 hectopascal = 100 pascal = 1 millibar.

1 kilopascal = 1000 pascal

The same unit is used to measure stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength.

Examples of various values (approximately)

0.5 Pa	Atmospheric pressure on Pluto (1988 figure; very roughly)
10 (really 9.81) Pa	The pressure at a depth of 1 mm of water
1 kPa	Atmospheric pressure on Mars
10 kPa	The pressure at a depth of 1 m of water, or the drop in air pressure when going from sea level to 1000 m elevation
100 kPa	Atmospheric pressure at sea level
10 MPa	Pressure washer forces out water at this pressure
100 MPa	Pressure at bottom of Marianas Trench, about 10 km under ocean
10 GPa	Diamond forms
100 GPa	Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Comparison to other units of pressure

1 bar	100,000 Pa
1 millibar	100 Pa
1 atmosphere	101,325 Pa
1 mm Hg*	133 Pa
1 inch Hg*	3,386 Pa

*rounded

External links

Conversion Calculator for Units of PRESSURE & STRESS]

Referenced By