Question

While cooking, a chef cuts his hand with a sharp-edged knife. To his surprise, his hand did not get a cut with a spoon even on the application of a greater force. What can be a possible reason for this?

• A. For the same force, pressure developed due to the knife is much smaller because of its sharp edge.
• B. For the same force, pressure developed due to the spoon is also the same.
• C. For the same force, pressure developed due to the knife is much larger because of its sharp edge.
• D. Amount of force that actually acts on the hand is more in the case of the knife.

Answer 1

The correct option is C For the same force, pressure developed due to the knife is much larger because of its sharp edge.

Since the edge of a knife is very sharp, the area on which the force is applied by it is smaller. Therefore, the applied pressure is higher in the case of the knife. Whereas for a spoon, it has more area. Hence, the pressure acting on the hand is less for the same force applied with the spoon.