Suppose that a woman weighing 130 lb and wearing high-heeled shoes momentarily places all her weight on the heel of one foot. If the area of the heel is 0.50 in.2, calculate the pressure exerted on the underlying surface in a. pounds per square inch,

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the formula for pressure: Pressure (P) is defined as force (F) divided by area (A), or \( P = \frac{F}{A} \).
2. Determine the force exerted by the woman: Since weight is a force due to gravity, the force exerted is equal to her weight, which is 130 lb.
3. Identify the area over which the force is applied: The area of the heel is given as 0.50 in².
4. Substitute the known values into the pressure formula: \( P = \frac{130 \text{ lb}}{0.50 \text{ in}^2} \).
5. Simplify the expression to find the pressure in pounds per square inch (psi).

Key Concepts

Pressure

Pressure is defined as the force applied per unit area. In this context, it is calculated by dividing the weight of the woman (in pounds) by the area of the heel (in square inches). The formula for pressure is P = F/A, where P is pressure, F is force (weight), and A is area.

Units of Measurement

Understanding units of measurement is crucial for solving this problem. The weight is given in pounds and the area in square inches, so the resulting pressure will be in pounds per square inch (psi). It is important to ensure that all units are consistent when performing calculations.

Force and Weight

Weight is a specific type of force that results from the gravitational pull on an object. In this scenario, the woman's weight (130 lb) acts as the force applied to the heel. Recognizing that weight is a force helps in applying the pressure formula correctly.