Question

Which of the following objects exerts the maximum pressure on the floor? (All objects have the same weight)

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Since, we know that the pressure exerted by an object on a surface varies inversely with the surface area in contact, provided the force applied is constant. Here it is given that the weight of all the four objects is the same. Hence, all the four objects will apply equal forces on the floor.
The inverted conical object will exert the maximum pressure on the floor. This is because the surface area in contact with the floor is the least in this case. It is only the area of the tip of the conical object.
In the remaining three cases, the surface area in contact with the floor is comparatively very high.