PHYSICS:Pressure

Pressure

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  • Created by: Sam Jones
  • Created on: 14-04-08 16:16

Pressue

Pressure is calculated in; Force divided by surface area. Force is measured in Newtons and surface area in meteres squared. Pressure is measured in Newtons per metre squared, Newtons per centimetre squared, or pascals.

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Example questions

Q.a.)A fireman has a mass of 100g. he has to rescue a cat from a frozen pond. The ice will crack if the pressure exceeds 25,00 Pa. His shoes have a surface area of 20cm squared each. Will the ice break if he walks on it?

A.a.) Yes. The pressure exceeds 25,00 pascals.

Q.b.)The fireman uses a plank instead, with a surface area of 5m squared.Can the fireman rescue the cat from the pond without breaking the ice?

A.b.) Yes. Because his weight is spread evenly over a wider area, unlike his shoes.

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Final thought

The fireman finally rescued the cat from the pond because he figured out that using a board would spread his weight evenly over a larger surface area. The same can be saidif your hand was stood on. Would you prefer a flat wide shoe, which spreads the person's weight out over a large area, or a stilletto heel with a sharp point, which concentrates the wearers weight into one small area? Personally, i would go for the wide shoe.

If you have any questions or ways I can improve on this article, please comment so I can improve itfor you and other people. Thank you.

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