An energy company operates a flat, horizontal solar collector array at a high-altitude research station on a mountain plateau. The total horizontal surface area of the collector array is 4200 m24200\text{ m}^24200 m2. The atmosphere exerts a downward force of 252,000,000 N252,000,000\text{ N}252,000,000 N on the top surface of this collector array.
Calculate the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the solar collector array. Use the equation:
pressure=forcearea\text{pressure} = \frac{\text{force}}{\text{area}}pressure=areaforce
The average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 101,300 Pa101,300\text{ Pa}101,300 Pa. Calculate the difference between the average atmospheric pressure at sea level and the atmospheric pressure at the surface of this solar collector array.
Practise AQA GCSE Physics Pressure and pressure differences in fluids (physics only) with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 27 questions covering Pressure in a fluid and Atmospheric pressure, matched to the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.