What are everyday examples of pressure application?

Everyday examples of pressure application include inflating tyres, using a syringe, and pressing a computer keyboard.

Inflating tyres is a common example of pressure application. When you pump air into a tyre, you are increasing the pressure inside it. The air molecules are forced closer together, creating a higher pressure that allows the tyre to support the weight of the vehicle. This is based on the principle that pressure is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to area. The more air you pump in, the greater the force exerted by the air molecules on the inner walls of the tyre, resulting in increased pressure.

Using a syringe is another everyday example. When you pull the plunger of a syringe, you increase the volume inside the syringe, which decreases the pressure. This lower pressure inside the syringe compared to the atmospheric pressure outside causes liquid to be drawn up into the syringe. Conversely, when you push the plunger, you decrease the volume, which increases the pressure, forcing the liquid out of the syringe. This demonstrates Boyle's law, which states that the pressure and volume of a gas have an inverse relationship when temperature is held constant.

Pressing a computer keyboard is also an application of pressure. When you press a key, you apply a force over a small area, creating pressure. This pressure is detected by the underlying mechanism, which triggers an electrical signal corresponding to the pressed key. This signal is then processed by the computer to display the appropriate character on the screen. This is a practical application of the principle that pressure is force divided by the area over which it is applied. The smaller the area (in this case, the area of the key), the greater the pressure for a given force.