Question

An activity has been performed by a student for comparing the pressure exerted by a solid cuboid on the loose sand. Now the student observed an compressed depression caused by same solid cuboid on wheat flour when placed in same position. If P1and P2 be the pressure exerted by a solid cuboid on sand as well as wheat flour then the correct relation between P1 and P2 observed by him/her
A. P1>P2
B. P1

Answer 1

The pressure or stress exerted by the solid cuboid through its base rectangle
     = weight of cuboid / base area of cuboid
     = P1
     = P2

The pressure is same.  The depth to which the cuboid penetrates on loose sand will be less than the depth to which the cuboid penetrates into the flour.  That is because of the density of sand is more than the density of flour.