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How much pressure does a toilet plunger put on the drain?

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Final answer:

The pressure exerted by a toilet plunger can be calculated with the equation P = F/A, reflecting the relationship between the force applied to the plunger and the contact area with the drain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pressure exerted by a toilet plunger on a drain can be understood with concepts from fluid mechanics, a subset of physics. When someone uses a plunger, they apply a force to the plunger's handle, which transmits this force to the fluid in the toilet drain. The pressure applied can be calculated using the equation P = F/A, where P is the pressure, F is the force applied, and A is the area of the plunger's end contacting the fluid. Considering atmospheric pressure is also present, these combined forces displace the water in the drain, clearing blockages.

An example calculation might involve a plunger with a plunger end of diameter 10 cm (which is 0.1 meters). If you apply a force of 50 N, the area of the circular end of the plunger (A = πr2) is 0.00785 m2. The pressure applied by the plunger on the drain would then be approximately 6,369 Pa (pascals), not including atmospheric pressure.

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