Question

A hydraulic system has small and large pistons with cross-sectional area of 3x10^-4 m^2 and 6x10^-3m^2 respectively. When a firce of 30N is applied to small piston, it pushes down the piston by 30cm. Determine pressure transmitted in the fluid?

Answer 1

Have a look, if it makes sense:

Explanation:

Considering Pascal's principle, pressure is transmitted entirely to the whole fluid (see the toothpaste tube effect! :-) so that:
`P_1=P_2`
but `P_1=F_1/A_1=30/(3xx10^-4)=100,000Pa`
BUT energy must be conserved!
so `"Work"_1="Work"_2` (force times distance)
`F_1*h_1=F_2*h_2`
where `F_2=P_1*A_2` (the pressure is the same on both pistons)
So:
`F_2=100,000*6xx10^-3=600N`
So:
`h_2=F_1*h_1/F_2=30*30/600=1.5cm`