Creative Problem Solving: Sally's Mug of Coffee

How can we determine the surface area and radius of Sally's coffee mug?

Sally put her mug of coffee on the table. The mug has a mass of 1 kg. If the pressure applied by the mug of coffee is 1100 Pa, what is the surface area of the bottom of the mug? What is the radius of the mug?

Calculating the Surface Area and Radius of Sally's Mug

To determine the surface area of the bottom of Sally's coffee mug, we need to use the formula for pressure, force, and surface area.

Given data:

The mass of Sally's mug is 1 kg

The pressure applied by the mug is 1100 pascal

First, we need to calculate the force applied by the mug.

Using the formula F = ma where acceleration due to gravity is rounded to 10 m/s², we get:

Force (F) = 1 kg × 10 m/s² = 10 N

Now, we can calculate the surface area (A) using the formula Pressure = Force/Area:

1100 Pa = 10 N / A

Therefore, the surface area of the bottom of the mug is 110 m².

Since the bottom of the mug is a circular base, we can calculate the radius using the formula for circumference:

Surface Area = Circumference = 2πr

110 m² = 2 × π × r

Radius (r) = 110 m² / (2 × π) = 17.51 meters

Thus, the radius of Sally's coffee mug is approximately 17.51 meters.

Exploring Sally's Mug of Coffee

Sally's mug of coffee presents an interesting problem to solve. By calculating the force, pressure, surface area, and radius of the mug, we can better understand the physics behind it.

In this scenario, we utilized key formulas such as F = ma, Pressure = Force/Area, and the formula for circumference to determine the surface area and radius of the coffee mug.

By creatively approaching and solving this problem, we were able to uncover the dimensions of Sally's mug and gain insights into the principles of physics at play. This type of problem-solving is not only engaging but also enhances our critical thinking skills.

Next time you see a mug of coffee on the table, take a moment to ponder the physics behind it and apply your creative problem-solving skills to unravel its mysteries.