A Box Of Weight 20 N Stands On A Foot With A Cross-sectional Area Of $1000 , \text{cm}^2$. What Pressure Is Exerted On The Ground?
Introduction
When an object is placed on a surface, it exerts a force on that surface due to its weight. This force is known as pressure, and it is a measure of the amount of force exerted per unit area. In this article, we will explore the concept of pressure and how it is calculated when an object is placed on a surface.
What is Pressure?
Pressure is a measure of the force exerted per unit area on a surface. It is typically denoted by the symbol P and is measured in units of pascals (Pa). The formula for calculating pressure is:
P = F / A
where P is the pressure, F is the force exerted on the surface, and A is the area of the surface.
Calculating Pressure
To calculate the pressure exerted on the ground by a box of weight 20 N, we need to know the cross-sectional area of the foot on which the box is standing. The cross-sectional area is given as 1000 cm^2. We can convert this to square meters by dividing by 10,000 (since there are 10,000 square centimeters in a square meter).
A = 1000 cm^2 / 10,000 = 0.1 m^2
Now we can calculate the pressure using the formula:
P = F / A = 20 N / 0.1 m^2 = 200 Pa
Understanding the Result
The result of 200 Pa means that the pressure exerted on the ground by the box is 200 newtons per square meter. This is a relatively low pressure, and it is typical of the pressure exerted by objects on the ground in everyday life.
Factors Affecting Pressure
There are several factors that can affect the pressure exerted on a surface. These include:
- Weight of the object: The heavier the object, the greater the pressure it will exert on the surface.
- Area of the surface: The larger the area of the surface, the lower the pressure will be.
- Material properties: The properties of the material on which the object is standing can also affect the pressure. For example, a soft surface may deform under the weight of the object, reducing the pressure.
Real-World Applications
Pressure is an important concept in many real-world applications, including:
- Engineering: Pressure is used to design and build structures such as bridges, buildings, and dams.
- Medicine: Pressure is used to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as high blood pressure and respiratory problems.
- Aerospace: Pressure is used to design and build aircraft and spacecraft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pressure exerted on the ground by a box of weight 20 N is 200 Pa. This is a relatively low pressure, and it is typical of the pressure exerted by objects on the ground in everyday life. Understanding pressure is important in many real-world applications, and it is a fundamental concept in physics.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is pressure? Pressure is a measure of the force exerted per unit area on a surface.
- How is pressure calculated? Pressure is calculated using the formula P = F / A, where P is the pressure, F is the force exerted on the surface, and A is the area of the surface.
- What factors affect pressure? The weight of the object, the area of the surface, and the material properties can all affect the pressure exerted on a surface.
References
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd edition, by Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca.
- Mechanics of Materials, 6th edition, by Russell C. Hibbeler.
- Astronomy: The Cosmic Perspective, 7th edition, by Jeffrey Bennett and Megan Donahue.
Introduction
When an object is placed on a surface, it exerts a force on that surface due to its weight. This force is known as pressure, and it is a measure of the amount of force exerted per unit area. In this article, we will explore the concept of pressure and how it is calculated when an object is placed on a surface.
What is Pressure?
Pressure is a measure of the force exerted per unit area on a surface. It is typically denoted by the symbol P and is measured in units of pascals (Pa). The formula for calculating pressure is:
P = F / A
where P is the pressure, F is the force exerted on the surface, and A is the area of the surface.
Calculating Pressure
To calculate the pressure exerted on the ground by a box of weight 20 N, we need to know the cross-sectional area of the foot on which the box is standing. The cross-sectional area is given as 1000 cm^2. We can convert this to square meters by dividing by 10,000 (since there are 10,000 square centimeters in a square meter).
A = 1000 cm^2 / 10,000 = 0.1 m^2
Now we can calculate the pressure using the formula:
P = F / A = 20 N / 0.1 m^2 = 200 Pa
Understanding the Result
The result of 200 Pa means that the pressure exerted on the ground by the box is 200 newtons per square meter. This is a relatively low pressure, and it is typical of the pressure exerted by objects on the ground in everyday life.
Factors Affecting Pressure
There are several factors that can affect the pressure exerted on a surface. These include:
- Weight of the object: The heavier the object, the greater the pressure it will exert on the surface.
- Area of the surface: The larger the area of the surface, the lower the pressure will be.
- Material properties: The properties of the material on which the object is standing can also affect the pressure. For example, a soft surface may deform under the weight of the object, reducing the pressure.
Real-World Applications
Pressure is an important concept in many real-world applications, including:
- Engineering: Pressure is used to design and build structures such as bridges, buildings, and dams.
- Medicine: Pressure is used to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as high blood pressure and respiratory problems.
- Aerospace: Pressure is used to design and build aircraft and spacecraft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pressure exerted on the ground by a box of weight 20 N is 200 Pa. This is a relatively low pressure, and it is typical of the pressure exerted by objects on the ground in everyday life. Understanding pressure is important in many real-world applications, and it is a fundamental concept in physics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is pressure?
A: Pressure is a measure of the force exerted per unit area on a surface.
Q: How is pressure calculated?
A: Pressure is calculated using the formula P = F / A, where P is the pressure, F is the force exerted on the surface, and A is the area of the surface.
Q: What factors affect pressure?
A: The weight of the object, the area of the surface, and the material properties can all affect the pressure exerted on a surface.
Q: What is the unit of pressure?
A: The unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa).
Q: What is the difference between pressure and force?
A: Pressure is the force exerted per unit area on a surface, while force is the total force exerted on a surface.
Q: Can pressure be negative?
A: No, pressure cannot be negative. Pressure is always a positive value.
Q: What is the relationship between pressure and depth?
A: The pressure exerted on a surface increases with depth. This is known as hydrostatic pressure.
Q: Can pressure be measured in different units?
A: Yes, pressure can be measured in different units, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Q: What is the importance of pressure in everyday life?
A: Pressure is an important concept in many real-world applications, including engineering, medicine, and aerospace.
References
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd edition, by Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca.
- Mechanics of Materials, 6th edition, by Russell C. Hibbeler.
- Astronomy: The Cosmic Perspective, 7th edition, by Jeffrey Bennett and Megan Donahue.
Additional Resources
- Pressure Calculator: A calculator that can be used to calculate pressure from force and area.
- Pressure Conversion: A chart that shows the conversion between different units of pressure.
- Pressure in Everyday Life: A article that discusses the importance of pressure in everyday life.