How do you rank the following measurements in order of increasing pressure: #4# #kPa#, #.3# #Pa#, #16# #N# #/m^2#, #311# #N# #/m^2#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-13T16:35:58

See explanation.

To sort the values you have to transform them to the same unit. The basic unit of pressure is pascal (Pa) which can be written as:

#1Pa=1N/m^2#

The prefix kilo (k) means #1,000# (one thousand). So the values (unsorted, in Pa) are:

#4kPa=4,000Pa#

#.3Pa=0.3 Pa#

#16 N/m^2=16Pa#

#311 N/m^2=311 Pa#

Now, when all values are in the same units I can sort them:

#0.3Pa < 16 N/m^2 < 311 N/m^2 < 4kPa#