Question

Pressure decreases when _____

(a) only the force is increased but not the area

(b) only the area is decreases but not the force

(c) either area decreases or force increases

(d) the force decreases and/or area increases

I have been asked this question in examination.

The origin of the question is Fluids Mechanical Properties Pressure in chapter Mechanical Properties of Fluids of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) the force decreases and/or area increases

Best explanation: Pressure (P) = Force (F)/Area (A)

From the above equation, we can infer that the pressure is inversely proportional to the area and directly proportional to the applied force.

Hence, the pressure will decrease when force is decreased and/or area is increased.