Question

A force of $500N$ acts on a square piece of plywood, each of whose sides is $5m$ long. Calculate the pressure acting on the piece of plywood.

• A. $500N{m}^{-2}$
• B. $100N{m}^{-2}$
• C. $2500N{m}^{-2}$
• D. $20N{m}^{-2}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $20N{m}^{-2}$

The pressure is given as Force/Area.
In this case, the force is 500 N and area =$5\times 5=25m^2$ as the side of the square plywood is given as 5 m.
Therefore, $Pressure=\frac{Force}{Area}=\frac{500N}{25m^2}=20N/m^2$.
Hence, the pressure acting on the piece of plywood is $20N/m^2$.