Question

How does the pressure exerted by thrust depend on the area of surface on which it acts? Explain with a suitable example.

Answer 1

Pressure exerted by thrust is inversely proportional to area of surface on which it acts. Thus, larger the area on which the thrust acts, lesser is the pressure exerted by it.

Example: If we stand on loose sand, our feet sink into the sand, but if we lie on that sand, our body does not sink into the sand. In both the cases, the thrust exerted on the sand is equal (equal to the weight of the body). However, when we lie on sand, the thrust acts on a large area and when we stand, the same thrust acts on a small area.