Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period:

__________

Can You Take the Pressure?

1. Write your weight in pounds here: _____________________________ lbs

2. A kilogram is approximately twice as big as a pound. Divide your weight in
pounds by 2. This will convert your weight in pounds to a mass in kilograms.
_____________________________ lbs 2 =
_____________________________ kg
3. Multiply your mass by 10 to change it to a force in Newtons.
____________________________ kg x 10 =
____________________________ N
4. Step on the grid on the other paper. Trace around your shoe. Count the number
of blocks contained within your footprint. Count any block that is covered halfway
or more. ___________________ blocks
5. Each block is a square that measures 1 cm x 1 cm. A cm is 1/100 of a meter.
So, each block measures 0.01 m x 0.01 m. To find the area of each block, you
need to multiply the length by the width. Therefore, the area of each block turns
out to be 0.0001 m2.
Area= Length x Width

6. To change each block to meters squared, you need to move the decimal 4
places to the left. Take the number of blocks you counted in #4 and move the
decimal 4 places to the left. __________________________ m 2

7. Take the force you found in #3 and divide it by the area you found in #5. This is
the pressure in Pascals, Pa, you exert on the floor every time you take a step.
Pressure = Force = _______________________ =
__________________________ Pa
Area
8. Repeat the activity except stand on the toes of one foot on the grid. Record your
answers below:
Weight: _______________________ lbs
Kilograms: ____________________ kg
Newtons: _____________________ N
# of blocks: _________________
Area: ________________________ m2
Pressure: _____________________ Pa
9. How does the pressure exerted by standing on one foot compare with the
pressure exerted by standing on your toes?
___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_______
10. Which one in each pair would have a larger pressure (circle one):
a. Flat tire or inflated tire
b. Tower of Pisa- leaning or straight
c. Stiletto heels or flip flops