How does a hydraulic press with two pistons manipulate forces and pressures?

Question

Question 4 options:

A)

The force on the small piston is greater than the force on the large piston, and the pressures are the same.

B)

The pressure on the large piston is greater than the pressure on the small piston, and the forces are the same.

C)

The pressure on the small piston is greater than the pressure on the large piston, and the forces are the same.

D)

The force on the large piston is greater than the force on the small piston, and the pressures are the same.

Answer 1

In a hydraulic press, the principle of Pascal's law states that the pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished in all directions throughout the fluid. In a system with two pistons of different sizes, the forces and pressures can be understood as follows:

• The pressure \( P \) in both pistons is equal because fluid transmits pressure uniformly.
• The force \( F \) on each piston is related to pressure and area \( A \) by the equation \( F = P \cdot A \).

Given this information:

1. The large piston will have a larger area than the small piston.
2. Therefore, for the same pressure, the force on the large piston will be greater than the force on the small piston.

So the correct option would be:

D) The force on the large piston is greater than the force on the small piston, and the pressures are the same.