Question

Calculate pressure exerted by a block of weight 10n

Answer 1

We need to do a couple of things here to find the pressure.

First, we need to convert the weight to newtons.

1 kg = 9.8 newtons, so 5000 kg is equal to 5000 × 9.8 newtons. 

5000 kg = 49000 newtons

Now we need to get the area of the feet of the elephant.

An elephant foot is usually 40 to 50 cm in length and width.

Pick 45 cm, the area is approximately equal to 2025 cm2 

For 4 feet, the area is 8100 cm2

Convert the area to meter squared using the following:

1 centimeter squared = 0.0001 meters squared.

8100 centimeter squared = 8100 × 0.0001 meters squared = 0.81 meter squared

Pressure =

49000 / 0.81

The pressure exerted on the ground by the elephant is 60492 pascals.

To compare the pressure, just do a ratio of the elephant's pressure to human's pressure.

60493 divided by 18000 equals 3.