Final answer:
The pressure exerted by the elephant is calculated by dividing the total force due to its weight by the total area of its feet, resulting in a pressure of 612500 Pa, or 612.5 kPa.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the pressure exerted by the elephant with a mass of 5000 kg and a cross-sectional area of 0.02 m2 on each foot, we first need to ensure an even distribution of weight across all four feet. Since pressure is defined as force per unit area, we can use the formula P = F/A, where P is pressure, F is force, and A is the area.
The force (F) exerted by the elephant due to gravity is equal to its weight, which can be calculated using F = m · g, where m is mass and g is acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2). Thus, F = 5000 kg · 9.8 m/s2 = 49000 N. The total area (A) supporting the weight is the area of one foot multiplied by four, giving A = 0.02 m2 · 4 = 0.08 m2. The pressure exerted can then be found by dividing the total force by the total area: P = 49000 N / 0.08 m2 = 612500 Pa, or 612.5 kPa.