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Question

A piece of iron nail when kept horizontally on the surface of the sand, rests on it but when kept vertically, digs a small hole. Why does this happen?


A

Due to more pressure, nail digs a hole

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B

Due to less pressure, nail digs a hole

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C

Due to gravity, nail digs a hole

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D

Can't be said

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Solution

The correct option is A

Due to more pressure, nail digs a hole


Since pressure is the force per unit area. Therefore in the 1st case when the nail is horizontal it experiences a lesser pressure but when it is vertical, the pressure is more because the area of contact is less.


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