Calculate Pressure: Elephant Mass 4000 kg, Leg Diam 25 cm

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nanu Nana
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pressure
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
Sign up Log in
5 replies · 2K views
Nanu Nana
Messages
95
Reaction score
5

Homework Statement


Calculate the pressure that an elephant with a mass of 4000 kg on the ground as the diameter of his legs is 25 cm

Homework Equations


P=F/A
F=mxg

The Attempt at a Solution


pressure = F/ A
diameter = 25 cm =>0.25m
I suppose his leg has form of circle so A = 3.14x (0.125)^2=0.049087
F=mass x g
F=4000kg x 9.81
F=39240 N
Thus,
P= 39240N / 0.049087 m^2 = 799390 Pa
But the answer should be 2.000x10^5 Pa


 
Physics news on Phys.org

Discussion

Nanu Nana said:

Homework Statement


Calculate the pressure that an elephant with a mass of 4000 kg on the ground as the diameter of his legs is 25 cm

Homework Equations


P=F/A
F=mxg

The Attempt at a Solution


pressure = F/ A
diameter = 25 cm =>0.25m
I suppose his leg has form of circle so A = 3.14x (0.125)^2=0.049087
F=mass x g
F=4000kg x 9.81
F=39240 N
Thus,
P= 39240N / 0.049087 m^2 = 799390 Pa
But the answer should be 2.000x10^5 Pa
How many legs does an elephant have... :smile:

EDIT -- Rats! Beaten out by a phone booth again!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Nanu Nana
gneill said:
Does the elephant have only one leg?
LOL . 4 legs indeed . thank you
 
berkeman said:
How many legs does an elephant have... :smile:

EDIT -- Rats! Beaten out by a phone booth again!
4 :D