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Atmospheric Pressure

the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downward, but in every direction. It amounts to 14.7 pounds of weight on each square inch, which is often called in round numbers 15. On a square foot it is 2,160 pounds, or nearly a ton. It would act upon our bodies with crushing effect were it not that the pressure, operating in all directions, produces an equilibrium. If any gas or liquid press upon a surface with a force of 15 pounds on a square inch, it is generally described as having a atmosphere; if 60 pressure of one atmosphere; if 60 pounds, of eight atmospheres, and so on.