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Difference Between Force and Pressure, Types, Examples

What is the Difference between Force and Pressure - Force is a vector quantity. Force has both direction along with magnitude. Pressure is a scalar quantity. Pressure consists of magnitude.
authorImageKrati Saraswat27 May, 2025
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Difference Between Force and Pressure

Difference Between Force and Pressure:  Force and Pressure are two basic concepts in physics. Let us understand the Difference Between Force and Pressure . Both are different entities, and there are vast variances among them.

Have you wondered about how football moves? This happens when force is applied. Similarly, you would have noticed a Pressure cooker at your home. The Pressure formed inside the cooker helps cook food faster and more efficiently. The Pressure is generally built up in a particular location, whereas force is spread over the broader region. This article will provide a better understanding of force and Pressure.

Difference Between Force and Pressure Overview

Force : Force is a vector quantity. It can also be defined as a push or a pull that makes a particular object or a thing move in a specific motion. For example, We always use force when we hit a ball. Force has the quality to stop a moving object; at the same time, it can also make it move faster. Force can also change the direction of the moving object. Thus, it proves that force has magnitude and direction.
Pressure: Pressure is the scalar quantity spread over a particular designated area. In our daily lives, we come across various examples of Pressure. For example, when we talk in the context of the human body - blood Pressure is a force that allows blood circulation against the walls of your blood vessels. This happens due to systolic and diastolic Pressure. It is to be noted that when the force is applied over a larger area, the Pressure will be low. Similarly, if the force is applied over a smaller area, the Pressure will be high.  
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Difference Between Force and Pressure

In physics, both force and Pressure play a significant role. Hence, it is essential to understand the difference between both. Let us quickly check the details of Force vs Pressure.

Force vs Pressure

Force is a vector quantity that interacts with direction and magnitude. Pressure is a scalar quantity without a specific direction. It works only on magnitude. It is possible to distribute Force in a particular area to create Pressure.

Force vs Pressure - Difference Between Force and Pressure

Sl. No. Parameter Force Pressure
1 Definition Force is a push-and-pull action that accelerates any object. Pressure is the force acting upon a concentrated area perpendicular to its surface.
2 Unit The unit for Force is Newton. The unit for Pressure is Pascal.
3 Symbol The symbol for Force is N. The symbol for Pressure is Pa.
4 Instrument to measure Force can be measured using the dynamometer. Pressure can be measured using the manometer.
5 Quantity type Force is a vector quantity because of its quality of combination of magnitude and direction. Pressure has a scalar quantity because it does not have any direction.
6 Action Force can be easily acted upon edges, vertices of objects, and faces of the objects in a particular direction. Pressure acts upon a particular surface or face of the object.
7 Velocity Force can easily change the velocity of the object. Pressure cannot change the velocity of the object.

What is Force?

Force is usually defined as the pushing and pulling of an object. When the objects interact with one another, it causes them to push and pull against one another. In physics, force is defined as an external agent that can change a particular object’s motion or state of rest. In the case of force, the magnitude and direction are known. The point at which the force is applied is known as the point of application, whereas the point where the direction is applied is called the direction of a force. 

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Types of Force

There are different types of forces: Contact force and Non–contact force.

Contact Force

Contact force consists of Muscular Force and Frictional Force.
  • Muscular Force – The functions of muscles create a force in our daily life, like lifting a bucket or pushing or pulling an object. This force exists only when it comes in contact with an object.
  • Frictional Force - the frictional force acts on all moving objects. It mainly works when the objects are moving in the opposite direction of the motion.

Non-contact Force

Non–contact force consist of Magnetic, Electrostatic and Gravitational forces.
  • Magnetic Force : Magnet as you attract metal objects; the force attracting certain metal objects is termed Magnetic force.
  • Electrostatic Force : Force exerted by a fully charged object onto another fully charged/ uncharged object is known as Electrostatic force.
  • Gravitational Force : Gravity is very well known to us. The force with which any object falls towards the earth due to the pull is known as Gravitational force.
Formula to understand how to calculate force:

F = ma

Here

F - represents Force

m – represents the Mass of the object;

a – represents acceleration.

Force is expressed in Newtons (N) or kilogram per second (kgm/s2)

Examples of Force

The use of force is widespread in our everyday life. We use force to push or pull any object; here are some examples of force:
  • Tug of war – two teams pulling the rope exerts force.
  • Bullock pulling the cart – the bullock pulls the cart using force.
  • We apply a pull while opening the door.
  • Force is used when we push the earth with a bulldozer.
  • When we stretch the spring of the chest expander, it exerts force.
  • We exert force while we insert a pin on the notice board.
  • When we pedal a cycle, it is force.
  • Squeezing out water from wet clothes is another example of using force.
  • Towing a shopping cart when you go to a mall.

What is Pressure?

Pressure can be defined as the force which is applied in a per unit area. Pressure is also one type of physical force. It works only when one object is in contact with another object. Pressure is always perpendicular to the body on which it is acting upon. The Pressure does not have any particular direction, unlike force. Formula to understand how to calculate Pressure:

P = F/A

Here,

P – represents Pressure;

F – represents Force and

A – represents Area (this Area is the surface area).

Since Pressure is a scalar quantity, it has only magnitude and no direction.

Pressure is expressed in Pascal (Pa).

Types of Pressure

Let us also understand different types of Pressure. There are four types of Pressure as below:
  1. Absolute Pressure – A total vacuum inside a place or a Pressure without any matter is known as absolute Pressure.
  2. Differential Pressure – The measurement of elevation of any fluid in any device is called differential Pressure.
  3. Gauge Pressure – Any Pressure calculated based on atmospheric pressure is known as gauge pressure.
  4. Atmospheric Pressure – The weight of the air above a specific surface exerts the force per unit area; this Pressure is exerted against a particular surface. It is called atmospheric Pressure.

Examples of Pressure

There are many circumstances where we use Pressure in our daily lives. Let us explore a few of them:
  • The knife’s edge is small, but it creates enough Pressure to cut your vegetables and fruits.
  • You would have instances where you have given blood; in such cases, the Pressure of the blood flows into the syringe when the plunger is withdrawn.
  • While you have any beverage, you generally suck it with the help of a straw; this is a classic example of Pressure.
  • The Skis do not sink in the snow due to Pressure.
  • While using a vacuum cleaner, you can notice that the machine sucks the dirt particles. It is because of the low pressure created in the machine.
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Difference Between Force and Pressure FAQs

What will happen when force is applied in a smaller area?

When force is applied to a smaller area, there is a tremendous impact on the object of the body. This is because there is less space for the force to spread out. On the contrary, the effect would be much less if the force is applied to a larger area.

How is Pressure affected when force is applied to a smaller area?

Pressure is the force divided into smaller areas. It is a simple logic. In small areas, the pressure is more; in larger areas, the pressure is less.

Are there forces in nature?

Forces exist in nature because there is regular interaction between two objects. As per law, the application of the force on a body will change depending on the object’s motion.

Which instrument is used to measure Atmospheric Pressure?

A barometer is an instrument used for measuring Atmospheric Pressure.

What kind of force is Electrostatic force?

The Electrostatic force is a non–contact force.
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