Hydrostatic Pressure

Start with pressure and density

Begin with the Pressure/Density mind map for an introduction to density as mass divided by volume. It includes an example using a material's mass and volume. The Pressure mind map introduces pressure as force acting on an area and shows the relationship between thrust and area. Reading them together can help you distinguish the quantities before moving on to pressure in fluids.

For another way into the topic, the notes on pressure in liquid consider a surface at a depth in a liquid and the weight of the liquid above it. You can compare that explanation with the pressure in fluids flashcards, which include terms, a formula and questions about dams and divers.

Check your understanding

After exploring a map, try Pressure Plenary. It asks about gauges measuring water pressure in an open tank and what happens to their readings. Use the questions to check how you interpret the situation, then return to the maps or notes to look again at the ideas you need to work through.

Density / Pressure practice questions offers another quiz to use alongside the maps. Teachers can also use these resources as a starting point for class work on pressure and density.

Explore fluids at rest

The Fluids at rest mind map brings pressure and density together with Pascal's principle. Hydrostatic and Manometers describes fluid particles in force equilibrium, with pressure balancing their weight. These maps offer different ways to organize the material on this page.

Hydrostatic Pressure is a section of the Pressure and Fluids unit in Physics. The resources here connect pressure in liquids with the wider language of pressure and fluids used in the unit. Choose a resource that fits what you are studying, then make your own map or flashcards to organize the ideas.