The point of a nail has an area of 0.25cm squared, and an average person has a weight of 700 N. Explain in detail why it is possible to lie on a bed of 4000 nails, but not on one single nail. Thanks

It is possible to lie on a bed of 4000 nails, but not on one single nail because a bed of 4000 nails exerts lesser pressure than a bed of one single nail .

Explanation:

Given;

weight of an average person, W = F = 700 N

area of the nail, A = 0.25 cm² = 0.25 x 10⁻⁴ m²

The pressure exerted by a single nail is given as;

P = F / A

P = 700 / (0.25 x 10⁻⁴)

P = 2.8 x 10⁷ N/m²

The pressure exerted by 4000 nails is given as;

Total surface area of 4000 nails = 4000 x 0.25 x 10⁻⁴ m² = 0.1 m²

P = F / A

P = 700 / 0.1

P = 7,000 N / m²

From the calculated values, 4000 nails exerts less pressure on the person than one single nail because pressure decreases with increase in surface area of an object.

Thus, it is possible to lie on a bed of 4000 nails, but not on one single nail because a bed of 4000 nails exerts lesser pressure than a bed of one single nail .