Final answer:
The pressure exerted by the sole of a shoe on the ground can be calculated using the pressure formula P = F / A. In this case, with a weight of 600 N and an area of 0.02 m², the shoe exerts a pressure of 30,000 Pa on the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pressure Exerted by a Shoe
To calculate the pressure that the sole of a shoe exerts on the ground, we can use the formula for pressure:
Pressure (P) = Force (F) / Area (A)
In this case, the force exerted by the person is the weight, which is given as 600 N (Newtons). It's important to note that weight is a force measured in Newtons (N) which can be calculated from mass (in kilograms) by multiplying it by the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s2). The area of contact between the shoe and the ground is given as 0.02 m2. The pressure can be calculated as follows:
P = F / A
P = 600 N / 0.02 m2
P = 30,000 N/m2
The pressure on the ground exerted by the shoe is 30,000 Pa (Pascals).
This example illustrates how a smaller area of contact, like the heel from high-heeled shoes, could result in significantly higher pressures even with the same force, which is why differentiated pressure can be of concern in certain scenarios such as commercial aircraft flooring and athletic performance.