Question

A cuboid of dimensions 10cm?8cm?2cm amd mass 200g is placed on a surface. Calculate the maximum and minimum pressure exerted by it.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

We know pressure = Force/Area.

The force here is the weight of the object = Mass x Acceleration due to gravitation

Force = 0.2 x 9.8 = 1.96 N

When area is minimum pressure is maximum and when area is maximum then pressure is minimum.

minimum area = $8\times 2=16{\mathrm{cm}}^2=0.0016{\mathrm{m}}^2$

maximum area = $10\times 8=80{\mathrm{cm}}^2=0.008{\mathrm{m}}^2$

Maximum pressure = $\frac{1.96}{0.0016}=1225\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{m}}^2$

Minimum pressure = $\frac{1.96}{0.008}=245\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{m}}^2$