A piece of the iron nail when kept horizontally on the surface of the sand rests on it. Why does it dig into the sand when kept vertically?

Due to more pressure, nail digs a hole

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Due to less pressure, nail digs a hole

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Due to gravity, nail digs a hole

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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 1^st 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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A piece of the iron nail when kept horizontally on the surface of the sand rests on it. Why does it dig into the sand when kept vertically?

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.

The correct option is A
Due to more pressure, nail digs a hole

Since pressure is the force per unit area. Therefore in the 1^st 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.