Pressure Defined as Force per Unit Area

Steps:

• Recall the definition: Pressure is the force applied per unit area on a surface.
• Identify the formula: P = F / A, where F is force and A is area.
• Eliminate options with multiplication: × implies product, not division, so A and C are incorrect.
• Confirm B matches the formula: Force divided by area gives pressure units (e.g., Pascals = Newtons / m²).

Why B is correct:

• It follows the standard formula P = F / A from physics, measuring force distributed over area.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Multiplication gives force times area, which is work or energy, not pressure.
• C: Mass times area lacks force relation; pressure requires force, not mass directly.
• D: Mass divided by area relates to surface density, not pressure.

Final answer: B