If I have something that is can take 130 pounds per square inch does that mean that it takes that much weight it can hold before it breaks? So if something is spread over 4 inches does that mean it can hold up 520 pounds?
In: Physics
It’s important to note that PSI is a unit of measurement for *pressure.*
You take a *force* (measured in pounds) spread out over an *area* (measured in square inches) to caluculate the *pressure* (measured in PSI).
Pressure is equal to force divided by area
Force is equal to pressure times area
Area is equal to force divided by pressure
If you know any two of these three values, you can calculate the third.
Imagine two scenarios-
In both scenarios you weigh 100lbs.
in scenario 1, your feet are 1” long and 1” wide so each foot has a surface area of 1” squared (I don’t know how to do the power of 2 symbol on my phone, sorry)
in scenario 2, your feet are 5” long and 2” wide so they have a surface area of 10 square inches
You want to walk across a frozen lake. The ice is thin and your scientist buddy says the ice can handle a maximum pressure of 60psi.
In scenario 1, your 100lb body weight (force) is acting on a 1” area to create a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch. You’d break through the ice.
In scenario 2, your 100lb body weight (force) is acting on a 10” area to create a pressure of 10psi. You’d be able to walk across the ice without breaking through.
So you were right in your question. If something can handle 130psi, it can handle more than 130lbs if you spread it across a larger area than 1”. PSI=pounds per square inch.
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