General Science • PhysicsHard
Why does a sharp needle pierce through cloth easily while a blunt pin requires much greater applied force?
A. The sharp needle has greater mass than the blunt pin
B. Pressure is inversely proportional to surface area, so a smaller area produces much higher pressure✓ Correct Answer
C. Friction is completely absent on the tip of a sharp steel needle
D. The elastic modulus of a sharp point is higher than that of a blunt surface
💡 Solution & Explanation
Pressure is defined as force divided by surface area. A sharp needle concentrates the applied muscular force onto an extremely small surface area, generating massive localized pressure that easily overcomes the tensile strength of the fabric fibers. A blunt pin distributes the identical force over a larger area, resulting in insufficient pressure for penetration. This principle explains why wide foundations are built for heavy structures.
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