Example1 :

In hydraulic brake, a force of 80 N is applied to a piston with area of 4 cm 2.

(a) What is the pressure transmitted throughout the liquid?

(b) If the piston at the wheel cylinder has an area of 8 cm2, 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

2.

The mass of X is 2 kg. It is placed at a piston A. The cross section areas of A and B are 5 cm 2 and 80 cm2
respectively.

(a) Calculate the force which acts on piston A.

(b) Find the pressure which is exerted on piston B.
(c) Find the mass of Y which can be lifted by piston B.
(d) If piston A moves down by 20 cm, then piston B will go up by

Solution:
(c) F1/A1 = F2/A2
2 x 10/ 5 x 10-4 = m x 10 / 80 x 10-4
(a) F = mg
m = 32 kg
= 2 x 10 = 20 N

(b) P = F/A
(d) 5 x 20 cm = 80 x l cm
= 20 N / 5 x 10-4 m2
l = 1.25 cm
= 40 000 N m-2
3. The figure shows a 10 N weight balancing a pN weight placed on a bigger syringe.

What is the value of p?

Solution:

F1/ A1 = F2 / A2

10 N / 1.5 cm2 = X N / 4.5 cm2

Therefore X = 1.0 / 1.5 x 4.5

= 30 N