Figure 6.23 (a) shows a boy lying horizontally, and Figure 6.23 (b) (see figure in your textbook) Class 8

Figure 6.23 (a) shows a boy lying horizontally, and Figure 6.23 (b) (see figure in your textbook) Class 8

Figure 6.23 (a) shows a boy lying horizontally, and Figure 6.23 (b) (see figure in your textbook) shows the boy standing vertically on a loose sand bed. In which figure does the boy sink more into the sand? Give reasons. Class 8

Answer:

The boy in Figure (b) will sink more. The weight of the boy is the same, but in Fig. (a), the force (of the weight) is acting on a large area. The pressure in this case is less. In Fig. (b), the same force (of the weight) is acting on a small area. The pressure, therefore, is more. The boy will sink more into the sand in this case.