Fig. 1.1 shows a rectangular block that can be placed on a surface in three different orientations. The block has a weight of 50 N. Which orientation gives ...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1.1 shows a rectangular block that can be placed on a surface in three different orientations. The block has a weight of 50 N. Which orientation gives the greatest pressure on the surface?
Answer Details
Pressure is defined as force per unit area: \(P = \frac{F}{A}\). The block weighs 50 N in all three orientations, so the force on the surface is the same each time. What changes is the contact area.
The greatest pressure occurs when the same force is applied over the smallest area. From the diagram, position 3 has the block standing on its smallest face, giving the smallest contact area and therefore the greatest pressure.
Position 1 (wide face down) gives the largest contact area and therefore the lowest pressure. The option stating all positions give the same pressure is incorrect because, although the weight is the same, the contact area differs. Pressure depends on both force and area, not force alone.
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