A foundation pad exerts a normal force of 660 N over an area of 52 cm². Calculate the pressure in pascals.

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Accepted Answer

1.27 × 10⁵ Pa Pressure is force distributed over area, but pascals require square metres. Convert 52 cm² using 1 cm² = 10⁻⁴ m²: A = 5.2 × 10⁻³ m². Use p = F/A because the normal force acts across the stated contact area. Substitute: p = 660 N ÷ (5.2 × 10⁻³ m²) = 1.27 × 10⁵ N/m². Therefore p = 1.27 × 10⁵ Pa. The small contact area explains why the numerical pressure is much larger than the force value.

Pressure beneath a foundation pad

A foundation pad exerts a normal force of 660 N over an area of 52 cm². Calculate the pressure in pascals.

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