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Pressure in liquids — KCSE Physics

KCSE Physics · 136 practice questions · 8 syllabus objectives

40 easy50 medium46 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Explain the hydraulic press principle and calculate force transmitted through pistons

State that liquid pressure acts in all directions and increases with depth

Apply the formula P = ρgh to calculate liquid pressure at a given depth

Describe the hydraulic press and explain how Pascal’s principle is applied to transmit pressure

Solve U-tube manometer problems and calculate gas or lung pressure

Calculate pressure in systems with immiscible liquids and determine force on submerged surfaces

Calculate pressure in liquids using P = ρgh and solve problems involving layered liquids

Pressure in liquids

Sample Questions

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1
easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

A container holds two immiscible liquids, oil and water, with the oil on top. The density of oil is 800 kg/m³ and that of water is 1000 kg/m³. Calculate the pressure at the interface of the two liquids when the height of the oil layer is 0.5 m and the height of the water layer is 0.3 m. (3 marks)

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Part (a) — 3 marks
Pressure due to oil = height of oil x density of oil x g (P_oil = 0.5 m x 800 kg/m³ x 9.81 m/s²) (1 mk)
Pressure due to water = height of water x density of water x g (P_water = 0.3 m x 1000 kg/m³ x 9.81 m/s²) (1 mk)
Total pressure at the interface = P_oil + P_water (1 mk)
2
easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

State the relationship between the height of a liquid column in a U-tube manometer and the pressure exerted by the gas connected to it. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks
The pressure exerted by the gas is directly proportional to the height of the liquid column. (1 mk)
As the height of the liquid column increases, the pressure exerted by the gas also increases. (1 mk)
3
easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

Name two ways in which Pascal’s principle is applied in a hydraulic press. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks
Pressure applied to the small piston is transmitted equally to the larger piston (1 mk)
The force exerted by the larger piston is greater due to the larger area, allowing heavy loads to be lifted (1 mk)
4

A column of oil is maintained at a height of 5 m. If the density of the oil is 800 kg/m³, calculate the pressure exerted at the base of the column. (g = 10 m/s²) (3 marks)

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