(i) Calculate the pressure exerted by the wooden block when it is kept in the vertical position.

Question

Solve the following example:

(i) Calculate the pressure exerted by the wooden block when it is kept in the vertical position. Given: The length of the wooden block is 80 cm, the breadth is 50 cm, the thickness is 20 cm and the weight is 500 N

(ii) Also calculate the pressure when the wooden block is kept in the horizontal position with its surface 80 cm × 50 cm touching the floor.

Answer 1

Data: F = W = 500 N, l = 80 cm 

= 0.8 m, b = 50 cm 

= 0.5 m. h = 20 cm = 0.2 m 

(i) A = bh = 0.5 m × 0.2 m = 0.1 m²

The pressure exerted in the vertical position of the block = 5000 N/m² or 5000 Pa.

(ii) A = lb = 0.8 m × 0.5 m = 0.4 m²

The pressure exerted in the horizontal position of the block = 1250 N/m² or 1250 Pa.