What is a fluid?

You probably think of a fluid as a liquid, but a fluid is simply anything that
can flow. This includes liquids, but gases are fluids too.

Hydraulic Press
A multiplication of force can be achieved by the application of
fluid pressure according to Pascal's principle, which for the two
pistons implies
P1 = P2
This allows the lifting of a heavy load with a small force, as in
an auto hydraulic lift, but of course there can be no multiplication
of work, so in an ideal case with no frictional loss:
Winput = Woutput

Pressure = Force (compression)

Surface area of liquid
Transmission of Pressure in a Liquid
In a hydraulic system, Pascals principle is applied as a force multiplier.
The force multiplier of a hydraulic system can be represented by the
equation:

Output force
force
Output
Input force

==

Output piston area

Input piston area

Output piston area

Input force
Input pisto

APPLICATION
A hydraulic lift for automobiles is an example of a force multiplied by
hydraulic press, based on Pascal's principle. The fluid in the small
cylinder must be moved much further than the distance the car is
lifted.

Automobile Hydraulic Lift

A hydraulic lift for automobiles is an example of a force multiplied by
hydraulic press, based on Pascal's principle. The fluid in the small cylinder
must be moved much further than the distance the car is lifted.

Problem Solving
Example 1:
In hydraulic brake, a force of 80 N is applied to a piston with area of 4
cm2.
1. What is the pressure transmitted throughout the liquid?
2. If the piston at the wheel cylinder has an area of 8 cm 2, what is
the force exerted on it?

Solution
(a)

P = F/A
= 80 N/4 cm2
= 20 N cm-2

(b)

F=PxA
= 20 N cm-2 x 8 cm2
= 160 N

Example 2:
The figure shows a 10 N weight balancing a X N weight placed on a
bigger syringe. What is the value of X ?

Solution:
F1/ A1 = F2/ A2
10 N / 1.5 cm2 = X N / 4.5 cm2
Therefore X = 10 / 1.5
= 30 N

x 4.5