Glossary
- absolute pressure
- the sum of gauge pressure and atmospheric pressure
- adhesive forces
- the attractive forces between molecules of different types
- Archimedes' principle
- the buoyant force on an object equals the weight of the fluid it displaces
- buoyant force
- the net upward force on any object in any fluid
- capillary action
- the tendency of a fluid to be raised or lowered in a narrow tube
- cohesive forces
- the attractive forces between molecules of the same type
- contact angle
- the angle between the tangent to the liquid surface and the surface
- density
- the mass per unit volume of a substance or object
- diastolic pressure
- the minimum blood pressure in the artery
- diastolic pressure
- minimum arterial blood pressure; indicator for the fluid balance
- fluids
- liquids and gases; a fluid is a state of matter that yields to shearing forces
- gauge pressure
- the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
- glaucoma
- condition caused by the buildup of fluid pressure in the eye
- intraocular pressure
- fluid pressure in the eye
- micturition reflex
- stimulates the feeling of needing to urinate, triggered by bladder pressure
- Pascal's Principle
- a change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all portions of the fluid and to the walls of its container
- pressure
- the force per unit area perpendicular to the force, over which the force acts
- pressure
- the weight of the fluid divided by the area supporting it
- specific gravity
- the ratio of the density of an object to a fluid (usually water)
- surface tension
- the cohesive forces between molecules which cause the surface of a liquid to contract to the smallest possible surface area
- systolic pressure
- the maximum blood pressure in the artery
- systolic pressure
- maximum arterial blood pressure; indicator for the blood flow