Question #81

A tire, as shown in the photograph below, is inflated to its suggested value, in this case about 30 pounds per square inch.

Gwen will now sit on the platform, placing her weight on the tire. When she does so, the bottom of the tire becomes flattened, as most people have observed when riding a bicycle. The question this week involves what happens to the air pressure in the tire when the tire is "loaded" in this manner.

When the tire is loaded, the pressure in the tire:

• (a) increases.
• (b) decreases.
• (c) remains the same.

Click here for Answer #81 after September 10, 2001.

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