Question

Anoop places a cuboid of dimensions $12\text{cm}\times 8\text{cm}\times 6\text{cm}$ with different faces touching the table. Which face, when touching the table, will experience the greatest pressure?

• A.
  Figure A
• B.
  Figure B
• C.
  Figure C
• D. All faces experience the same pressure.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Figure C
$\text{Pressure}=\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}}$
When the force acting is constant, the pressure is inversely proportional to the contact area. Here, the constant force is the weight which is $mg$. But, the area of each face is different.
Figure A has an area of $8\times 12=96{\text{cm}}^2$,
Figure B has $12\times 6=72{\text{cm}}^2$ and
Figure C has $8\times 6=48{\text{cm}}^2$.
Therefore, $\text{Figure C}$ will experience the greatest pressure.