Question

A Georgia water worker accidentally strikes a water pipe with the end of his pickaxe while trying to dig a whole. If the pickaxe strikes with a force of 3,600N and the end of the pickaxe measures 15mm by 13mm, how much pressure is exerted on the pipe by the pickaxe

Answer 1

Answer:

Pressure, $P=1.84\times 10^7\ Pa$

Explanation:

Given that,

Force with which pickaxe strikes is 3600 N

The end of the pickaxe measure 15mm by 13mm.

We need to find the pressure exerted on the pipe by the pickaxe. Pressure exerted is equal to the force acting per unit area. So,

$P=\dfrac{F}{A}$

A = 15 mm × 13 mm = 195 mm² = 0.000195 m²

So,

$P=\dfrac{3600\ N}{0.000195\ m^2}\\\\P=18461538.46\ Pa\\\\\text{or}\\\\P=1.84\times 10^7\ Pa$

So, the pressure of $1.84\times 10^7\ Pa$ is exerted on the pipe by the pickaxe.