The pressure exerted on the ground by a man is greatest

Pressure is defined as the force applied per unit area (P = F/A) [2]. In this scenario, the force exerted by the man is his constant body weight due to gravity [t2][t10]. According to the pressure formula, pressure is inversely proportional to the contact area; thus, a smaller contact area results in higher pressure [t1][t2]. When a man lies down, his weight is distributed over a large surface area, resulting in the least pressure [t6]. Standing on both feet increases the area compared to standing on one foot, thereby reducing the pressure [t1][t2]. Standing on the toes of just one foot minimizes the contact area to the smallest possible value among the given options. Consequently, the man's entire weight is concentrated on this tiny area, yielding the greatest pressure exerted on the ground [t1][t7].

Sources

1. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: Pressure, Winds, Storms, and Cyclones > 6.1 Pressure > p. 82