Pascal: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• Derived from Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century French mathematician and physicist known for his work on fluid mechanics.
• The term was officially adopted in 1971 by the International System of Units (SI) to honor his contributions.

Science

• One pascal is defined as one newton of force applied over an area of one square meter.
• It's often used in fields like meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure; for example, standard atmospheric pressure is about 101,325 pascals.
• Pascal's principle states that when pressure is applied to a confined fluid, the pressure change occurs throughout the fluid evenly.

Technology

• In computer programming, 'Pascal' also refers to a high-level programming language developed by Niklaus Wirth in the 1970s, designed for teaching programming concepts.
• The Pascal programming language influenced many modern programming languages, including Delphi and Ada.

Psychology

• Pascal was known for his thoughts on human existence and emotions, famously saying, 'The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.'
• He emphasized the importance of doubt and uncertainty in human experience, which resonates in modern existential thought.

Literature

• Blaise Pascal wrote 'Pensées', a collection of thoughts on theology and philosophy that explores the human condition and reflects his religious beliefs.
• His writings often delve into the conflict between faith and reason, which has influenced numerous philosophical movements.