A sheet of paper 3.0 cm by 4.0 cm is lying on the desk. If the atmospheric pressure is 1.013 105 Pa, what is the total force exerted on the top side of the paper by the atmosphere?

132.56N

Explanation:

Pressure is defined as force per unit area.

Expressed mathematically as;

P = F/A

Where P-pressure

F-force

A-area

From the above formula,

F = P*A

= 1.1013 * 10^5 * (3*4/10000)

= 11.013*12 = 132.56N

Note: the unit of measure in cm is converted to m and since 100cm makes 1m for each sides 3cm and 4cm we convert to 'm' by dividing by 100 twice giving division by 10000)

The unit of measure Pa means Pascal and is the same as N/m2