If A2 = 26 square inches and P = 100 psi, what is F2?

If A2 = 26 square inches and P = 100 psi, what is F2?

• A. 2600 pounds
• B. 100 pounds
• C. 3000 pounds
• D. 26 pounds

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the relationship between pressure, force, and area: P = F/A. Solve for force: F = P × A. Here the pressure is 100 psi and the area is 26 square inches. Multiply: 100 × 26 = 2600. The units work out as pounds because psi is pounds per square inch, and multiplying by square inches leaves pounds. So F2 = 2600 pounds. The other options don’t fit this relationship: 100 pounds would ignore area and would imply a much lower pressure; 3000 pounds would require a higher pressure (about 115 psi) for that area; 26 pounds would give a pressure of about 1 psi if applied to 26 in².

The main idea is the relationship between pressure, force, and area: P = F/A. Solve for force: F = P × A. Here the pressure is 100 psi and the area is 26 square inches. Multiply: 100 × 26 = 2600. The units work out as pounds because psi is pounds per square inch, and multiplying by square inches leaves pounds. So F2 = 2600 pounds.

The other options don’t fit this relationship: 100 pounds would ignore area and would imply a much lower pressure; 3000 pounds would require a higher pressure (about 115 psi) for that area; 26 pounds would give a pressure of about 1 psi if applied to 26 in².