A Christmas present weights `100N` and its base has an area of `2m^2.` What pressure does it exert on the ground?

By definition, pressure is force over area, where force is supposed to be perpendicular to that area. It is measured in Pascals, Pa, which are equal to 1 Newton over square meter. One Pa is a small pressure.

So `P = F/A.`

In our case, the force P (weight is the force with which a body presses on its base) and the area A are given, so we only have to divide.

`P = F/A = (100 N) / (2 m^2) = 50 Pa.`

This is the answer.

Note that we cannot be sure that the weight is distributed evenly over whole the base. In that case the number we found is the average pressure.

This pressure also isn't very high. For example, a mosquito when it bites may create a pressure of about `10^14` Pa.

Comments

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