You press a stick that has a varying cross-sectional area horizontally between the palms of your hands. The area of the stick pushing against your left palm is twice the area of the stick pushing against your right palm. The pressure on your left palm is ____________ the pressure on your right palm.
A) 1/4
B) 1/2
C) equal to
D) 2 times
E) 4 times

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure exerted by a force on a surface is inversely proportional to the area of the surface. Since the area of the stick against the left palm is twice that of the right, the pressure on the left palm will be half that on the right, assuming the force (your push) is constant across both palms.

You Press a Stick That Has a Varying Cross-Sectional Area