A bicycle tire pump has a piston with area 0.40 in2. If a person exerts a force of 26 lb on the piston while inflating a tire, what pressure does this produce on the air in the pump?

Answer 1

Hi.

To solve this problem, we need to remember that the term "pressure" refers to the amount of force exerted over a particular area.

Therefore:

P = F/A

Here, we're given the force (F) and the area (A).

F = 26 lbs.

A = 0.42 in^2

Solve:

P = 26 lbs/0.42 in^2

P = 61.9 pounds per square inch

P = 62 PSI

Note that I rounded my answer to two significant figures because both of the quantities (for force and area) that we were given provided two significant figures.