Question

A bicycle tire pump has a piston with area 0.43 In2. If a person exerts a force of 16 lb on the piston while Inflating a tire, what pressure does this produce on the air in the pump?

Answer 1

Answer:

The pressure produced on the air in the pump is 37.209 pounds per square inch.

Explanation:

By definition, the pressure is the force exerted on the piston divided by its area. Given that, force is distributed uniformly on the piston area, the formula to determine the pressure is:

$p = \frac{F}{A}$

Where:

$p$ - Pressure, measured in pounds per square inch.

$F$ - Force exerted on the piston, measured in pounds.

$A$ - Piston area, measured in square inches.

If $F = 16\,lb$ and $A = 0.43\,in^{2}$, the pressure produced on the air in the pump is:

$p = \frac{16\,lb}{0.43\,in^{2}}$

$p = 37.209\,psi$

The pressure produced on the air in the pump is 37.209 pounds per square inch.