Hydraulic Press: Share Pressure, Change Force

Separate a shared pressure from different piston forces.

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In an ideal model at the same height, with no friction, both pistons share the same pressure above outside air pressure. Force equals pressure times face area. The larger face has a larger force, not a larger pressure. Use diagrams and calculations only; never build or operate a press for this activity.

Worked example

An input area of 2 cm^2 and output area of 8 cm^2 give an area ratio of 4. An input force of 6 N then gives an ideal output force of 24 N.

Input area 2 square centimeters receives 6 newtons. Output area 8 square centimeters receives 24 newtons at equal pressure in the ideal same-height model. Piston sizes are schematic.

Would you believe it?

A hydraulic connection can bend. The enclosed liquid can transmit a pressure change along a curved route between pistons.

OpenStax: Pascal's principle

Question 1 What is the output-to-input area ratio, 8 divided by 2? 4 6 16

Question 2 What ideal output force follows from a 6 N input and ratio 4? 10 N 1.5 N 24 N

Question 3 Which quantity is shared in this ideal same-height model? Force Pressure Piston area

Question 4 With the same areas, a 3 N input gives what output? 12 N 24 N 7 N

Question 5 Which claim is correct? The larger face makes energy from nothing The pressure is four times larger at the output The larger face receives more force

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