Competency #3
Answer and Explanation
There is a difference when you hold the cylinder vertically versus horizontally. However, it is the pressure that changes, not the mass or weight.
Consider the definition of pressure:
In this situation, the force you perceive is the force of gravity of the cylinder, which remains constant. However, in the first scenario this force is in contact with a much greater area of your hand, so the resulting pressure is lower. Hence, you feel like the object is lighter. This is yet another reminder that our bodies are not always the best device for measuring quantities
Note: The arrows in the diagrams above are indicating the pressure exerted on the hand. The arrows do NOT represent force.
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