If a 10 pound force is applied over 2 square inches, what is the pressure?

Prepare for the ASVAB Skilled Technical Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a 10 pound force is applied over 2 square inches, what is the pressure?

Explanation:
Pressure tells us how much force is spread over an area. It’s found with P = F / A, where F is force and A is area. Here a 10-pound force spread over 2 square inches gives P = 10 / 2 = 5 pounds per square inch, i.e., 5 psi. This illustrates that the same force over a larger area produces lower pressure, while the same force over a smaller area produces higher pressure. For example, 10 pounds on 1 square inch would be 10 psi, and 20 pounds on 2 square inches would also be 10 psi.

Pressure tells us how much force is spread over an area. It’s found with P = F / A, where F is force and A is area. Here a 10-pound force spread over 2 square inches gives P = 10 / 2 = 5 pounds per square inch, i.e., 5 psi. This illustrates that the same force over a larger area produces lower pressure, while the same force over a smaller area produces higher pressure. For example, 10 pounds on 1 square inch would be 10 psi, and 20 pounds on 2 square inches would also be 10 psi.