Scenario 1: Book lying flat
* Pressure: Pressure is defined as force per unit area.
* Force: The force exerted by the book is its weight, which is calculated by multiplying its mass (20 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²).
* Force = 20 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 196 N (Newtons)
* Area: The area of the book's cover is given as 0.05 m².
* Calculation: Pressure = Force / Area
* Pressure = 196 N / 0.05 m² = 3920 Pa (Pascals)
Scenario 2: Book standing on its end
* Force: The force remains the same (196 N).
* Area: The area of the book's end is 0.01 m².
* Calculation: Pressure = Force / Area
* Pressure = 196 N / 0.01 m² = 19600 Pa (Pascals)
Therefore:
* The pressure on the table when the book lies flat is 3920 Pa.
* The pressure on the table when the book stands on its end is 19600 Pa.
Key takeaway: Pressure is inversely proportional to the area over which the force is applied. A smaller area results in higher pressure for the same force.
