Define pressure. Estimate the average pressure a stationary 60 kg person exerts on the floor. Choose and state plausible shoe dimensions, model both soles as rectangles, and explain why your answer is only an estimate.

Question

Accepted Answer

Pressure is normal force per unit area. For two soles each about 0.25 m × 0.10 m: area ≈ 0.05 m², weight ≈ 600 N and pressure ≈ 1.2 × 10⁴ Pa; an order of magnitude of 10⁴ Pa is reasonable. Define pressure as normal force per unit area (1 mark). State a plausible geometrical model for both contacting soles. Use total area about 2 × 0.25 × 0.10 = 0.05 m². Estimate weight as mg ≈ 60 × 10 = 600 N. Calculate p = F/A ≈ 12 000 Pa. Discuss incomplete contact, dimensions or weight distribution and avoid spurious precision.

A reasoned pressure estimate

Define pressure. Estimate the average pressure a stationary 60 kg person exerts on the floor. Choose and state plausible shoe dimensions, model both soles as rectangles, and explain why your answer is only an estimate.

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