In a hydraulic system, a small piston area A1 = 0.01 m^2 experiences a force F1 = 1000 N. What pressure is transmitted to the large piston area A2 = 0.10 m^2, and what is the resultant force F2 on that piston?

In a hydraulic system, a small piston area A1 = 0.01 m^2 experiences a force F1 = 1000 N. What pressure is transmitted to the large piston area A2 = 0.10 m^2, and what is the resultant force F2 on that piston?

• A. Pressure = 1.0×10^5 Pa; F2 = 1.0×10^4 N
• B. Pressure = 2.0×10^5 Pa; F2 = 2.0×10^4 N
• C. Pressure = 5.0×10^4 Pa; F2 = 5.0×10^3 N
• D. Pressure = 1.0×10^4 Pa; F2 = 1.0×10^3 N

Answer: (D)

In a hydraulic system, the pressure in the fluid is transmitted undiminished to all parts, so the pressure on the large piston is the same as the pressure calculated from the small piston. First find the pressure from the small piston: P = F1 / A1 = 1000 N / 0.01 m^2 = 1.0 × 10^5 Pa. This same pressure acts on the large piston, so the force on it is F2 = P × A2 = (1.0 × 10^5 Pa) × 0.10 m^2 = 1.0 × 10^4 N. Therefore, the transmitted pressure is 1.0 × 10^5 Pa and the resultant force on the large piston is 1.0 × 10^4 N. If you tried another pressure, it wouldn’t match the given F1 and A1.

In a hydraulic system, the pressure in the fluid is transmitted undiminished to all parts, so the pressure on the large piston is the same as the pressure calculated from the small piston.

First find the pressure from the small piston: P = F1 / A1 = 1000 N / 0.01 m^2 = 1.0 × 10^5 Pa.

This same pressure acts on the large piston, so the force on it is F2 = P × A2 = (1.0 × 10^5 Pa) × 0.10 m^2 = 1.0 × 10^4 N.

Therefore, the transmitted pressure is 1.0 × 10^5 Pa and the resultant force on the large piston is 1.0 × 10^4 N. If you tried another pressure, it wouldn’t match the given F1 and A1.