Which of the following exerts the greatest pressure? A) a 40 gram object on a surface of 2.0 cm² B) a 60 gram object on a surface of 3.0 cm² C) a 80 gram object on a surface of 4.0 cm² D) None, they all exert the same pressure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure exerted by an object depends on the force it applies and the area over which it applies the force. However, in all three cases, the weight of the object (which is the force it applies) is proportional to the surface area over which it is distributed, so the pressure remains the same. Therefore, all three choices exert the same pressure, and the answer is D.

Which of the Following Exerts the Greatest Pressure