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 difference?

• A. For the same force, the pressure developed due to the spoon is much smaller because of its sharp edge.
• B. For the same force, the pressure developed due to the knife is much larger because of its sharp edge.
• C. For the same force, the pressure developed due to the knife is much smaller because of its sharp edge.
• D. For the same force, the pressure developed due to the spoon is much larger because of its sharp edge.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

For the same force, the 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, the area of impact is more. Hence, the pressure acting on the hand is lesser for the same applied force with the spoon.