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Questions on Pressure

Q2. The diagram shows a simple tool for punching holes in a leather belt.

When the handle is pressed down by a user, the steel peg presses down on the piece of leather.

If the force exerted is large enough, the peg punches through the leather, making a hole.

(a) The steel peg presses down on the leather with a force of 150 N.

The area of the end of the steel peg is 0.1 cm2.

Calculate the pressure that the steel peg exerts on the leather.

P = F/A

P = 150 N/ 0.1 cm2

a mark for recalling the equation

P = 1500 N/cm2

(3 marks)

(b) The pressure is too small, and the punch does not go through the leather.

How could you change the design of the punch to make it work using the same force on the handle?

Make the area of contact with the leather (the diameter of the tip of the steel peg) smaller.

(As P = F/A the same force will produce a larger pressure)

(1 mark)

Maximum 4 marks