Question 103
Calculating pressure
In this investigation, you will investigate how the pressure that a person exerts on the floor varies. Work in groups of two or three.
You will need: a person who is willing to be weighed, or who knows their body mass; a bathroom scale, if body mass is not known; sheets of squared paper; pencil.
Method
1. Measure or record the body mass of the person.
2. Convert the mass to weight using: weight in N = mass in kg × strength of gravity in N/kg. Take the strength of gravity as 10 N/kg.
3. Ask the person to place one foot on a piece of squared paper. They can do this while wearing shoes.
4. Use the pencil to draw around the foot of the person.
Describe how you could work out the area in contact with the ground when the person is lying down.
In this investigation, you will investigate how the pressure that a person exerts on the floor varies. Work in groups of two or three.
You will need: a person who is willing to be weighed, or who knows their body mass; a bathroom scale, if body mass is not known; sheets of squared paper; pencil.
Method
1. Measure or record the body mass of the person.
2. Convert the mass to weight using: weight in N = mass in kg × strength of gravity in N/kg. Take the strength of gravity as 10 N/kg.
3. Ask the person to place one foot on a piece of squared paper. They can do this while wearing shoes.
4. Use the pencil to draw around the foot of the person.
Describe how you could work out the area in contact with the ground when the person is lying down.
