Question

A brick is kept in three different orientations on a table as shown in the figure. The pressure exerted by the brick on the table will be __________________.
A B C
[3 marks]
[Exemplar]
[Pressure]

• A. equal in all cases
• B. maximum in position C
• C. maximum in position A
• D. maximum in position B

Answer 1

The correct option is C maximum in position A

Solution:
Pressure exerted by an object on a surface depends on the perpendicular force and the area of contact. In all the three cases, the weight brick is the same. Thus, the perpendicular force exerted on the surface is the same.
[1 mark]

Now, the pressure exerted by the brick in the different orientations will only depend on the area of contact. If we compare the area of contact, it is minimum in position A and maximum in position C.
[1 mark]

As pressure is inversely proportional to the area of contact, the pressure exerted by the brick on the table will be maximum in position A.
[1 mark]