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What pressure would a 450-N (110-lb) woman exert on the floor when she puts her entire weight on one heel?

publish date2024/09/09 20:38:34.196564 UTC

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In the 1950s, when women wore spike heels with areas of about \(\frac14\) cm2 (\(\frac12\) cm by \(\frac12\) cm), aircraft companies were concerned because such heels could exert enough pressure to punch through the floor of planes.

What pressure would a 450-N (110-lb) woman exert on the floor when she puts her entire weight on one heel?

Express your answer in N/cm2

Answer = N/cm2

Correct Answer

(1) 1800

Explanation

$\text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{450-N woman}}{\text{one heel area}}$

$\text{Pressure} = \frac{450 \text{ N}}{\frac14 \text{ cm}^2} = 450  \cdot 4 = 1800 \text{ N/cm}^2$

Reference

Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide, go-math-science.com


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