Pressure in Solids

Pressure in solids refers to the force exerted per unit area when a solid object is in contact with a surface.

It is given by:

\( P = \dfrac{F}{A} \)

• Where:
  
  • \( P \) = Pressure (Pa or N/m\(^2\))
  • \( F \) = Force applied (N)
  • \( A \) = Contact area (m\(^2\))

Key Points:

• Pressure is directly proportional to the applied force and inversely proportional to the area.
• For a given force, a smaller contact area produces greater pressure.
• For solids, pressure acts perpendicular to the contact surface.
• Changing the shape or orientation of the solid changes the pressure it exerts on a surface.

Factors Affecting Pressure in Solids:

• Magnitude of Force: Increasing the applied force increases the pressure.
• Contact Area: Smaller areas increase pressure; larger areas reduce pressure.
• Distribution of Force: Uneven force distribution causes variable pressure across the surface.

Applications:

• Knife edges are made sharp to increase pressure for cutting.
• Snowshoes have large surface areas to reduce pressure and prevent sinking into snow.
• Bulldozer tracks are wide to reduce pressure on soft ground.