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Chapter 2 — 1
Chapter 2
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PHYSICS
To understand the physical and physiological problems which can confront a diver, it is
helpful to recall a few basic physical laws of nature. Only a brief and simplified review of the
physics of diving is given in this text. For more detailed explanations, refer to the diving
manuals.
PRESSURE
Some of the major physical hazards are related to the effects of pressure. Pressure is defined
as force per unit area. i.e.
PRESSURE = FORCE
AREA
If a force is spread over twice the area, the pressure is halved.
This explains why, for example, wide tyres are preferable for driving on beaches. The weight
of the vehicle (force) when spread over a large area causes less pressure on the sand. This
vehicle is less likely to sink into the sand than one with narrow tyres.
The effect of stilleto heels on soft wooden boat decks