# A large wooden sleeper used in a garden is placed flat on soft soil. A gardener then stands the same sleeper upright, so that only one end is in contact with the soil. The sleeper sinks deeper into the soil when stood upright than when lying flat. Explain why the sleeper sinks deeper into the soil when stood upright, even though its weight has not changed.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625) — 1.8 Pressure · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Pressure depends on the area over which a force acts
2. When stood upright, the contact area between the sleeper and the soil is smaller
3. The weight (force) acting on the soil remains the same
4. The smaller area means the pressure on the soil is greater, so the sleeper sinks deeper

## Key terms

- [weight](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/weight)

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