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Is this application of product rule for the definition of pressure correct?

Physics Asked by Chaser on February 24, 2021

$vec F$ = force vector,
$vec A$ = area vector,
$P$ = pressure

Mathematically $vec F = P vec A$. By product rule we get,

$$
{rm d}vec F = P {rm d}vec A + vec A {rm d}P
$$

Why do we often compute Force over a surface as $vec F = int P {rm d}vec A$ whilst ignoring the term $int vec A {rm d}P$ ?

2 Answers

If the area under consideration is a more complicated surface than a flat plane, and, if the pressure varies with position spatially on the surface, then the force per unit area at a given location on the surface is $pmathbf{n}$, where $mathbf{n}$ is the unit normal to the surface, and the differential element of area over which the force is applied is dA, so the vectorial force on the surface is $mathbf{F}=int{pmathbf{n}dA}$.

Answered by Chet Miller on February 24, 2021

The definition $vec F = P vec A$ is only valid if P is a constant, and in such case your second term is zero. The definition that makes physical sense when P varies with position is $dvec F = P dvec A$.

Answered by Wolphram jonny on February 24, 2021

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