A pascal (Pa) is the unit of pressure or stress in the International System of Units (SI) . It is named after the scientist and mathematician Blaise Pascal). One pascal is equivalent to 1 newton (N) of force applied over an area of 1 square meter (m²) . The pascal is also used to measure stress, specifically tectonic stress in the Earths plates. The pascal can be expressed using SI derived units, or alternatively solely SI base units, as: Pa = N/m²). The pascal is inconveniently small for many purposes, and the kilopascal (kPa) of 1,000 newtons per square meter is more commonly used. For example, standard atmospheric pressure (or 1 atm) is defined as 101.325 kPa. The pascal is also used to quantify internal pressure, stress, Youngs modulus, and ultimate tensile strength).