How to Calculate Pressure Exerted by an Object on a Surface
How can we calculate the pressure exerted by an object on a surface?
If a 7.5kg block is placed on a table and its bottom surface area is 0.6m2, how much pressure does the block exert on the tabletop?
The pressure exerted by the block on the table can be calculated using the formula:
Pressure (p) = Force (W) / Area (A)
When an object is placed on a surface, it exerts pressure proportional to its weight and the area in contact with the surface. In this case, the weight of the 7.5kg block can be calculated as:
Weight (W) = mass (m) x acceleration due to gravity (g)
Weight (W) = 7.5kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 73.6 N
Substitute the calculated weight into the pressure formula, we get:
Pressure (p) = 73.6 N / 0.6 m2
Pressure (p) = 122.7 Pa
Therefore, the 7.5kg block exerts a pressure of 122.7 Pascal on the tabletop with a bottom surface area of 0.6m2.