In a hydraulic press, the area of the small piston is 5 cm2, and the area of the large one is 500 cm2.

In a hydraulic press, the area of the small piston is 5 cm2, and the area of the large one is 500 cm2. The force acting on the small piston is 500N. What is the force acting on the large piston?

Sm = 5 cm2.

Sb = 500 cm2.

Fm = 500 N.

Fb -?

In a hydraulic press, Pascal’s law is used, according to which pressure in a fluid is transmitted equally in all directions. Therefore, the pressure on the small and large pistons in a hydraulic press is the same: Pm = Pb.

Pressure P is the ratio of the force F to the area S on which this force acts: P = F / S.

Pm = Fm / Sm.

Pb = Fb / Sb.

Fm / Sm = Fb / Sb.

Fb = Fm * Sb / Sm.

Fb = 500 N * 500 cm2 / 5 cm2 = 50,000 N.

The hydraulic press gives a 100 times strength gain.

Answer: a force Fb = 50,000 N acts on the large piston.