An elephant of mass 2800kg has feet of average area of 200 cm2. A vulture of mass 12 kg walks beside the elephant on a muddy area, the average area of the feet of the vulture is 2.0 cm2. Which one is likely to sink? Explain your answer showing any necessary calculations. ​

Respuesta :

Explanation:

The formula we are going to use is

Pressure = F/A

Elephant:

First, we need to convert weight into newtons.

1kg=9.8 newtons, so 2800kg × newtons = 27440newtons

For 4 feet= 200×4= 800cm^2

Convert the area to meter squared using the following:

1 centimeter squared = 0.0001 meters squared

800cm^2×0.0001= 0.08m^2

Pressure=F/A

Pressure= 27440/0.08

The pressure exerted on the ground by the elephant is 343000 Pascals.

Vulture:

12kg×9.8=117.6newtons

for 2 feet= 2.0×2=4cm^2

4×0.0001=0.0004m^2

117.6/0.0004= 294000 Pascals

To compare the pressure, just do a ratio of the elephant's pressure to vulture's pressure.

343000/294000≈ 1.17

So the pressure is about 1 times bigger.

Keep in mind that the elephant has 4 feet, which help to increase the area which in turn decrease the pressure. 

Elephant's feet are more likely to sink as elephant's feet apply more pressure on the muddy area.

What is pressure?

Pressure is defined as the thrust per unit area. Thrust is the perpendicular force applied. Its SI unit is pascals.

So, P = T/A

Here,

Mass of elephant = 2800 kg

Force applied = 2800 × 9.8 ( 1kg = 9.8 N)

= 27440 N

Average feet area of elephant = 200 cm2

Since an elephant has 4 feet,

200 × 4 = 800 cm2 = 0.08 m2

Now, P = F/A

27440/0.08 = 343000 pascals

For the vulture,

Force of the vulture = 12 × 9.8 = 117.6 N

Area = 2.0 × 2 = 4cm2 = 0.0004 m2

Now, P = 117.6 / 0.0004 = 294000 pascals

So, pressure applied by the elephant's feet is more than the pressure applied by the vulture's feet. Therefore, the elephant's feet will sink.

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