Pressure exerted on a surface depends on ........

Options

A. force and distance
B. density and area
C. area and force
D. force and density

Answer

To determine what pressure exerted on a surface depends on, we can analyze the relationship between pressure, force, and area. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Definition of Pressure
Pressure is defined as the amount of force applied per unit area. The formula for pressure (P) is given by:
\[ P = \frac{F}{A} \]
where:
- \( P \) = pressure
- \( F \) = force applied
- \( A \) = area over which the force is applied

### Step 2: Identify the Factors Affecting Pressure
From the formula \( P = \frac{F}{A} \), we can see that pressure depends on two main factors:
1. The magnitude of the force (F) applied to the surface.
2. The area (A) over which the force is distributed.

### Step 3: Consider the Orientation of Force
It is important to note that for the pressure to be calculated accurately, the force should be applied perpendicular to the surface area. If the force is applied at an angle, the effective force contributing to the pressure will be less than the total force.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, we can conclude that the pressure exerted on a surface depends on:
- The magnitude of the force applied.
- The area over which the force is distributed.
- The angle at which the force is applied (ideally perpendicular).

### Final Answer
Pressure exerted on a surface depends on the force applied and the area over which that force is distributed, with the condition that the force is applied perpendicularly to the surface.

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