Q2 A rectangular block of mass 30 Kg measures 0.1 m by 0.4 m by 1.5 m. a. Calculate weight of the block. [5] b. Draw diagram to show how the block must rest on the ground to exert i. maximum pressure ii. minimum pressure c. Calculate minimum and maximum pressure in part b.
Answers
Answer:
ANSWER
Let P
1
,P
2
and P
3
be the pressures exerted by the brick while resting on different faces.
The dimensions of the given brick are 20cm×10cm×5cm
Case (i) : When the block is resting on 20cm×10cmface.
Thrust acting= Weight of the brick
T=500gwt
Area of constant (A)=20cm×10cm
Pressure exerted (P
1
)
=
Area
Thrust
=
20×10
500
∴P
1
=2.5gwtcm
−2
Case (ii) : When the block is resting on 20cm×5cmface
Thrust= Weight of the brick
=500gwt
Area of constant (A)=20cm×5cm
Pressure exerted
(P
2
)=
Area
Thrust
=
20×5
500
∴P
2
=5gwtcm
−2
Case (iii) : When the block on 10cm×5cmface
Thrust= Weight of the brick =500g.wt.
Area of contact =10cm×5cm
Pressure=
Area
Thrust
=
10×5
500
P
3
=10gwtcm
−2
∴ From the above three cases, it is clear that, as the area of contact decreases, the pressure exerted increases and is greater when the brick rests on its 10cm×5cm face.
