A high-precision optical table in a physics laboratory has a total weight of 3600 N3600\text{ N}3600 N and is supported by three identical heavy-duty legs. Each leg has a flat foot with an area of 15.0 cm215.0\text{ cm}^215.0 cm2 in contact with the floor.
State the equation relating pressure, force, and area.
Calculate the pressure exerted on the laboratory floor by each individual foot of the optical table. Give a suitable unit for your answer.
To protect the floor from permanent indentations, wide load-spreading plates are placed under each foot. Explain, in terms of pressure, force, and area, why using these plates reduces the risk of floor damage.
