Pressure can be defined as what?

Pressure is fundamentally defined as force exerted per unit area. This relationship is often expressed using the formula:

[ \text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}} ]

In this context, pressure quantifies how much force is distributed over a given area. For example, if a force is applied over a small surface area, the resulting pressure will be high. Conversely, if the same force is applied over a larger area, the pressure is reduced. This concept is critical in various fields of engineering, including power engineering, where understanding pressures in systems such as boilers, pumps, and piping is essential for safe and efficient operation.

The other options provided do not accurately define pressure. Mass per unit volume refers to density, energy per unit time pertains to power, and torque per unit length does not find a direct application in measuring pressure. Therefore, defining pressure as force per unit area is essential for understanding concepts related to fluid mechanics and system design in engineering.