Calculating pressure of cylinder on table

[tehmatriks]

Homework Statement

A cylindrical metal block of mass 32 kg stands with its base on a horizontal table. The radius of the base of the cylinder is 4 cm. Calculate the value of the pressure on the table.

Homework Equations

Pressure = Force/Area

The Attempt at a Solution

f = ma, i don't know if this is where I am going wrong, but I am using acceleration due to gravity

(32)(9.8) = 313.6 N

area of bottom/base of cylinder = pi x 4² = 50.26 cm²

50.26 x 10^-4 = 5.026 x 10^-3 m²

P = F/A, so 313.6/5.026 x 10^-3 = 0.062470119 Pa

yep, thanks in advance

 

[gneill]

Your powers of ten got mucked up in your final calculation.

$$\frac{313.6 N}{5.026 \times 10^{-3} m^2} = ?$$

 

[tehmatriks]

yea, it should be 0.062395543

what now?

 

[gneill]

yea, it should be 0.062395543

what now?

Your value is still incorrect. The digits are fine, but the decimal place is incorrect.

 

[rwisz]

Your calculations and equations are correct. The pressure on the table can be calculated by dividing the weight of the cylinder (force) by the area of its base. In this case, the pressure is 0.062470119 Pa, which is relatively low. This is because the weight of the cylinder is spread out over a larger area, resulting in a lower pressure. This is why objects with larger surface areas, such as elephants, can stand on the ground without sinking in. It is important to consider the pressure exerted by objects, as it can affect the stability and strength of structures.