Chapter 6, Problem 24A

To determine

To rank: The aluminum blocks of same mass on the basis of pressure they exert into the surface, from greatest to least.

Answer to Problem 24A

The rank of aluminum blocks of same mass on the basis of pressure they exert into the surface, from greatest to least is C, D, B, A.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Force per unit area is pressure. Increase in surface area decreases pressure.

Consider the given boxes.

  

All boxes are of same mass means all boxes exerts same force. As surface area of box increases pressure exerted by box increases. The box having large pressure dent more into the surface and the box exerting low pressure dent less in the surface.

The surface area of all boxes are different. Surface area from lowest to highest are Box C, D, B, A.

So, box C exerts a high pressure and dent more in the surface. Then box D, B and box A dent lower in surface.

Conclusion:

Ranking of highest to least depth are box C, D, B and A.