WAEC - Physics (2008 - No. 6)

A rectangular block of dimensions 2.0m x 1.0m x 0.5m weighs 200N. calculate the maximum pressure exerted by the block on a horizontal floor.

100Nm^-2

200Nm^-2

300Nm^-2

400Nm^-2

P = \(\frac{wt}{A} = \frac{200}{0.5 \times 1} = 400Nm^{-2}\)

This is because Area is inversely proportional to pressure, so an increase in pressure leads to a decrease in area and vice versa.