Mechanics

Bulk Modulus

B=−ΔPΔV/VB = -\frac{\Delta P}{\Delta V / V}

Bulk modulus measures a material's resistance to uniform compression.

Variables

B
Bulk modulus
Resistance to compression
In SI units: N/m²
Allowed values: greater than 0
Pa
ΔP
Change in pressure
Applied pressure change
In SI units: N/m²
Pa
ΔV
Change in volume
Volume change
m³
V
Original volume
Initial volume
Allowed values: greater than 0
m³

Derivation

B = -V(dP/dV). The negative sign ensures B is positive since ΔV is negative for positive ΔP.

Your notes

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Check value

Round inputs run through this page's calculator. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.

  • ΔP = 2 Pa (Change in pressure)
  • ΔV = 3 m³ (Change in volume)
  • V = 4 m³ (Original volume)

Result: B = -2.6666667 Pa

Where this formula is listed

Common questions

What is the Bulk Modulus formula?

Bulk Modulus is written B = −ΔP/(ΔV/V). Bulk modulus measures a material's resistance to uniform compression. It belongs to Mechanics, under Dynamics.

What are the units in B = −ΔP/(ΔV/V)?

In SI units, B is bulk modulus, measured in N/m²; ΔP is change in pressure, measured in N/m²; ΔV is change in volume, measured in m³; V is original volume, measured in m³.

How is the Bulk Modulus formula derived?

B = -V(dP/dV). The negative sign ensures B is positive since ΔV is negative for positive ΔP. The result is B = −ΔP/(ΔV/V).