The definition of pascal confused

[Femme_physics]

So 1 pascal is 1 Newton per squared meter
Are 2 pascals 2 Newtons per squared meter, or 2 Newtons per 2 squared meter applied on the object?

 

[JaredJames]

2 Newtons per squared meter - correct.

2 Newtons per 2 squared meter - wrong.

Think about it, 2 Newtons per 2 squared meter = 1N per square meter.

Right it out with the units and you'll see that by applying it to the top and bottom cancels out to leave you with 1N per square meter always.

Pascal = kg / m s²

2 Pascal = (2/1) x (kg / m s²) = 2kg / ms²

Picture the 2 as a fraction = 2/1. Multiply that fraction out with the units and you get your answer.

It doesn't matter what fraction you represent the two with (2/1, 4/2, 8/4, 1/0.5 etc) you will always come back to: 2kg / ms² = 2Pa

To get 2 Newtons per 2 squared meter, you'd need the fraction to be 2/2 Pa = 1 Pa.

Not the worlds greatest explanation, but that's how I work it out and check it.

 

[Femme_physics]

Think about it, 2 Newtons per 2 squared meter = 1N per square meter.

Yes, I had this silly thought of it being a measure of how many 1 Newtons per 1 squared meter are applied over a general area...but since this general area is defined as 1 squared meter already, that resolves it!