What Is a Kilopascal (kPa)

The kilopascal is based on the pascal unit. Heres the definition and a look at the units history. Kilopascal or kPa Definition The kilopascal is a unit of pressure. 1 kPa is approximately the pressure exerted by a 10-g mass resting on a 1-cm2 area. 101.3 kPa 1 atm. There are 1,000 pascals in 1 kilopascal. The pascal and thus the kilopascal are named for the French polymath Blaise Pascal. Kilopascal Uses The pascal (Pa) and kilopascal (kPa) are the most common units of pressure throughout the world. Even in the United States, kPa is often used in favor of pounds per square inch (PSI). The pascal, kilopascal, and gigapascal (GPa) are used to express tensile strength, compressive strength, Youngs modulus, and stiffness of materials. Sources International Bureau of Weights and Measures (2006). The International System of Units (SI) (8th ed.). ISBN 92-822-2213-6.  IUPAC.org. Gold Book,  Standard Pressure.