Explaining changes of pressure
I can explain the effect of a temperature change or a change in volume on the pressure of a fluid.
Explaining changes of pressure
I can explain the effect of a temperature change or a change in volume on the pressure of a fluid.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The pressure of a gas in a container increases if the temperature or amount of gas increases, or volume decreases.
- Increasing temperature increases the speed of particles in a gas.
- Pressure × volume = constant (pV = constant).
- When a gas expands, its particles do work on the surrounding air.
- Doing work on a gas can increase its temperature.
Keywords
Particle model - a scientific model using the idea of moving particles to explain the behaviour of matter.
Pressure - caused by a force acting over an area on a surface; it can be calculated using: pressure = force ÷ area
Common misconception
Pressure is a weight or a force; and pressure has a preferred downwards direction in a liquid or gas.
Use the particle model to provide opportunities for pupils to explain the causes of pressure in a gas that is in a container, and to explain how the difference in pressure between inside and outside causes an outward force.
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Explaining changes of pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Explaining changes of pressure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Particle explanations of density and pressure unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.