Final answer:
Dancing en pointe in ballet results in a higher pressure on the toes because the body weight is supported on a much smaller surface area compared to normal walking or dancing. The smaller the area of contact, the higher the pressure. This is why dancing on the tip of the toes is much harder on the toes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dancing en pointe in ballet, a dancer supports their entire body weight on the tips of their toes. This is in contrast to normal walking or dancing, where the weight is distributed over a larger surface area of the foot. Pressure is calculated as force divided by area, so when the surface area over which the force is distributed decreases, the pressure increases.
Therefore, dancing en pointe puts a higher pressure on the toes compared to other positions because the area of contact between the toes and the floor is significantly smaller.
Consider the analogy of a woman walking in high-heeled shoes where the concentrated pressure on the small heel area can be so great that it could damage soft surfaces like certain floors in aircraft, as mentioned historically. In conclusion, the answer to the student's question is (a) Higher pressure on toes in en pointe position.