Practice Problem 1
In a hydraulic system, a piston with a cross-sectional area of 21 square centimeters pushes on an incompressible liquid with a force of 38 newtons. The far end of the hydraulic pipe connects to a second piston with a cross-sectional surface area of 100 square centimeters. What is the force on the second piston?
​
Answer: 1.8x10•10 N
Practice Problem 2
Practice Problem 3
Consider a hydraulic system with two pistons. Piston 1 applies a force F1 over area A1 and piston 2 applies a force F2 over area A2.
​
​
Answer: F2=2/3F2
A piston that is part of a hydraulic system has a surface area of 0.025 square meters. The hydraulic fluid pushes on the piston with a pressure of 20,000 pascals. What pressure pushes on another piston in the same system?
​
Answer: According to Pascal’s principle, the change in pressure in an enclosed system is the same throughout the system. Therefore, the pressure on any piston in the system is the same: 20,000 pascals.