How to Calculate Pressure on a Table Due to a Block of Mass 4 kg?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tehmatriks
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Block Pressure
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the pressure exerted on a table by a 4 kg block, the relevant formula is pressure = force/area, where force is derived from the weight of the block (mass multiplied by gravity). The user initially calculated a pressure value of 26,133.33 but sought clarification on how this relates to the scientific notation answer of 2.613 x 10^4 found in the textbook. It was clarified that both values are equivalent when rounded appropriately. The discussion emphasized the importance of understanding units in physics, as they are crucial for accurate answers. Overall, the conversation highlighted common misconceptions in applying scientific notation and the significance of units in calculations.
tehmatriks
Messages
40
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Calculate pressure on the table caused by a block of mass 4 kg and acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m s-2

Homework Equations


pressure = force/mass

The Attempt at a Solution


anyway, i get to, 39.2/(0.03)(0.05) and i get 26,133.33333
insteads of the actual answers which is 2.613 x 104

my question, how do i get the actually answer, thanks in advance
 
Physics news on Phys.org
tehmatriks said:
Calculate pressure on the table caused by a block of mass 4 kg and acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m s-2
You haven't specified the dimensions of the box. Pressure involves force distributed over an area.

Homework Equations


pressure = force/mass

No, pressure = force/area

You should also have an equation that relates the weight of an object to its mass in the gravitational field.

The Attempt at a Solution


anyway, i get to, 39.2/(0.03)(0.05) and i get 26,133.33333
insteads of the actual answers which is 2.613 x 104

my question, how do i get the actually answer, thanks in advance

Powers of ten? Scientific notation?
 
tehmatriks said:
anyway, i get to, 39.2/(0.03)(0.05) and i get 26,133.33333
insteads of the actual answers which is 2.613 x 104
I don't understand the issue. Those answers match!
26,133.33333 is the same as 2.613 x 104 (rounded off, of course)
 
Doc Al said:
I don't understand the issue. Those answers match!
26,133.33333 is the same as 2.613 x 104 (rounded off, of course)

right, just how do i round that off to the si units thing

and gneill, yea, pressure = force/area is what i meant, i know how to do these man, just need to know to get the answer to how it is in the actual book which is 2.613 x 104
 
Do a Google search on scientific notation.
 
For everyone banging their head on the table after reading this: this is what's wrong with our science education. 'The right answer' is everything, understanding is nothing.
 
Last edited:
tehmatriks said:
right, just how do i round that off to the si units thing

and gneill, yea, pressure = force/area is what i meant, i know how to do these man, just need to know to get the answer to how it is in the actual book which is 2.613 x 104
Didn't you study standard form or Scientific form during maths class?
On your calculator,when you make scientific form as the mode,the answer becomes the standard/scientific form.
1000000 can be written as 1 x 10^6

Doug1943 said:
For everyone banging their head on the table after reading this: this is what's wrong with our science education. 'The right answer' is everything, understanding is nothing.
You are right.But that applies more to subjects like Biology.Physics is all about understanding
 
Last edited:
What the heck are the units of the answer? That's just as important as the number.
 
SteamKing said:
What the heck are the units of the answer? That's just as important as the number.
Yes.Units are normally worth 1 mark.
 
Back
Top