The small piston of a hydraulic lift has a cross-sectional of 3 00 cm2 and its large piston has a cross-sectional area of 200 cm2. What downward force of magnitude must be applied to the small piston for the lift to raise a load whose weight is Fg = 15.0 kN?

Q: The small piston of a hydraulic lift has a cross-sectional of 3.00 cm2 and its large piston has a cross-sectional area of 200 cm2. What downward force of magnitude must be applied to the small piston for the lift to raise a load whose weight is Fg = 15.0 kN?

Answer:

225 N

Explanation:

From Pascal's principle,

F/A = f/a ... Equation 1

Where F = Force exerted on the larger piston, f = force applied to the smaller piston, A = cross sectional area of the larger piston, a = cross sectional area of the smaller piston.

Making f the subject of the equation,

f = F (a) / A ... Equation 2

Given: F = 15.0 kN = 15000 N, A = 200 cm², a = 3.00 cm².

Substituting into equation 2

f = 15000 (3/200)

f = 225 N.

Hence the downward force that must be applied to small piston = 225 N