What is the effect of pressure of a human body on sand ?

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Larger while standing than while lying

Smaller while standing than while lying

Same while standing or lying

Larger while standing during the daytime and smaller during the night time while lying

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

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Pressure is defined as force per unit area (Pressure = Force / Area). The force exerted by the human body on the sand is equal to its weight, which remains the same whether standing or lying down. However, the area of contact with the sand is significantly smaller when standing (area of feet) compared to when lying down (area of the entire body in contact). Since the force is constant, a smaller area results in larger pressure. Therefore, the pressure exerted on the sand is larger while standing than while lying down.

Pressure is inversely proportional to the area of contact for a constant force.

This principle explains why sharp objects exert more pressure than blunt objects under the same force, and why wide tires are used on vehicles intended for soft ground.

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