11.
Force and Pressure
Answer the following:
13. What are the factors that pressure depends on?
* Pressure depends on the following factors
(i) Pressure is directly proportional to the force applied on the surface-
The more the force acting on a body, the more the pressure it will exert and
vice-versa.
(ii) Pressure is inversely proportional to the area of contact of a surface-
The more the area of contact of a given body, the lesser the pressure it will
exert and vice-versa.
14. Write some applications of pressure in everyday life.
*(i) It is easier to walk on the ground wearing a flat-heel sandal than a pointed end
high-heel sandal.
It is because the base area of the flat-heel sandal is more than that of the
pointed heels. So, the overall pressure due to the force exerted by our
body will be more in case of high –heel sandal as compared to flat-heel
sandal.
(ii) We use a sharp knife to cut things rather than a blunt knife.
It is because the edge of a sharp knife has a very small area of contact. This
produces a very large pressure with a small applied force. This makes it easier
to cut things with less effort.
(iii) Board pins, needles and nails have pointed ends.
This is because pointed end reduces the area of contact and produces large
pressure which makes it easier for these objects to penetrate the targets such
paper, clothes, skins and walls.
(iv) High-rise buildings have wide foundations.
This is because wide foundations increase the area of contact and reduce the
pressure exerted by the building on the ground which prevents it from sinking
into the ground due to its enormous weight.
(v) Wooden /concrete sleepers are provided below the railway track.
Wooden/ concrete sleepers increase the area of contact thereby reduces the
pressure exerted by rails and trains on the ground.
(vi) School bags have wide straps.
It is done to increase the surface area of contact and reduce the pressure
exerted on the shoulders by the weight of the bag.
(vii) We find it difficult to walk on the sand whereas a camel walks easily on
sand.
It is because the large padded feet of a camel increase its area of contact with
with the ground. This reduces the pressure and enables it to walk on sand
easily.
(viii) Tractors have broad tyres.
Broad tyres increase the surface area of contact so that pressure is less on
the ground. Thus the tyres do not sink on the soft ground in the cultivating fields.
