A 10.5 N force is exerted on a small piston of a hydraulic system. The cross sectional area of the small piston is .025m2. What is the magnitude of the weight that can be lifted by a large piston which has a surface area of .1m2?

Question

anonymous · Answer

We must balance the pressures here. For the small piston, $$P_s = {F_s \over A_s}$$
For the large piston, $$P_l = {F_l \over A_l}$$There pressure must equal each other, therefore, $$P_s = P_l \rightarrow {F_s \over A_s} = {F_l \over A_l}$$We desire the force of the large piston. So solving for F_l, we get$$F_l = F_s \left( A_l \over A_s \right)$$