Question

Explain the following; in your answer, use the words 'pressure', 'force' and 'area'. A cricket stump has a sharp point at one end.​

Answer 1

A cricket stump typically features a sharp point at one end. This design serves multiple purposes within the game. Firstly, the sharp point acts as a force concentrator, allowing the stump to penetrate the ground more effectively when it is inserted. The point enables the stump to exert greater pressure on a smaller area when driven into the playing surface. This ensures that the stump remains stable and secure, preventing it from easily dislodging during the course of the game. Additionally, the sharp point facilitates easy removal of the stump when required, as it can be leveraged against the force exerted to pull it out of the ground. Therefore, the sharp point on a cricket stump serves as a useful feature that enhances stability and ease of use on the field.

Answer 2

The sharp point on a cricket stump allows the stump to exert a greater force on the ball with a smaller area of contact. This is because pressure is equal to force divided by area.

When the ball hits the sharp point of the stump, the force of the impact is concentrated on a very small area. This results in a very high pressure being exerted on the ball. This high pressure can cause the ball to deform or even break.

If the stump did not have a sharp point, the ball would hit a larger area of the stump. This would result in a lower pressure being exerted on the ball. This lower pressure would not be enough to deform or break the ball.

The sharp point on a cricket stump is a good example of how pressure can be used to achieve a desired outcome. By concentrating the force of the impact on a small area, the stump can exert a greater force on the ball and cause it to deform or break.

Here is an equation to show how pressure is calculated:

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pressure = force / area

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In this case, the force is the force of the impact of the ball on the stump. The area is the area of the sharp point of the stump.

The higher the force and the smaller the area, the higher the pressure will be. This is why the sharp point on a cricket stump can exert a greater force on the ball with a smaller area of contact.