Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics 

  
Lesson 14.4 

Pascal’s Principle  
 
Contents 

Introduction 1 

Learning Objectives 2 

Warm Up 2 

Learn about It! 3 

Pascal’s Principle 3 
Hydraulic Systems 6 
Hydraulic Brakes 6 
Hydraulic Jack 6 

Key Points 12 

Key Formulas 12 

Check Your Understanding 13 

Challenge Yourself 15 

Bibliography 15 

Key to Try It! 16 

 
   

 
  
Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

Lesson 14.4 

Pascal’s Principle  

  Introduction 
Have  you  ever  seen  a  car  that  moves  up  and  down  like  this, perhaps in a movie? Have you 
ever  wondered  how  and  why  it  moves  like  that?  This  car’s  motion  is  due  to  what  is  called 
hydraulics.  Isn’t  it  eye-catching  to  see  how  these  cars  move  up and down with music in car 
shows? Perhaps, you also have seen excavators and backhoes in construction sites. Are you 
aware  that  they  also  work  using  the  same  principle  as  these  cars? How? In this lesson, you 
will  be  able  to  take a look into different hydraulic systems and how applying force to a fluid 
affects its behavior. 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
 
 
 
 

DepEd Competencies 
Learning Objectives   
● Apply Pascal’s principle in 
In this lesson, you should be able to do the  analyzing fluids in various 
following:  systems 
(STEM_GP12FM-IIf43). 
● Describe what happens when 
● Solve problems involving fluids in 
force is applied to  contexts such as, but not limited 
incompressible fluids.   to hydraulic devices 
(STEM_GP12FM-IIf47). 
● State Pascal’s principle.    
 
● Describe how hydraulic systems   

work.  
● Solve problems involving fluids 
using Pascal’s principle.  

  Warm Up       

  Fluids      5 minutes 
In this activity, you will be able to test the compressibility of liquids and gases. 
 

Materials 
● large syringe (remove the needle)  
● 20 ml water 

 
Procedure 
1. Make sure that the needle is removed from the syringe.  
2. Pull the plunger of the syringe away from the tip up to the 5 ml mark.  
3. Place  your  thumb  against  the  tip  of  the  syringe  and  push  the  plunger  toward  your 
thumb. Observe the movement of the plunger.  
 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
4. Place 5 ml of water into the syringe.  
5. Repeat Step 3. Observe if the plunger moves as well.  
 
Guide Questions 
1. What  did  you  observe  when you press the plunger of the syringe toward your thumb 
when the syringe contains water? How about when the syringe contains air?  
2. Compare the compressibility between water and air.   
3. Describe the compressibility of fluids based on their molecular characteristics. 
 

  Learn about It! 

In  the  previous  lesson,  you  learned  about  how  pressure  and  fluid  pressure  affect  the 
behaviour  of  fluids.  Pressure  is  defined  as  the  force  exerted  over  a  unit  area.  In  liquids, 
pressure can be calculated by the ratio of the object’s weight and the applicable area.  
 

How does the application of force affect an 

  incompressible uid? 

 
Pascal’s Principle  
When  force  is  applied  to  a  fluid  in  a  container,  this  force  is  equally  distributed  throughout 
the  fluid.  When  the  fluid  is  in  a  container,  the  force  applied  to it is passed on to the walls of 
the  container.  This  behavior  of  fluids  is  explained  by Pascal’s principle. It states that, when 
a  fluid  is  at  rest  in  a  closed  container,  the  pressure  on  one  part  of  the  container  is 
transmitted without any loss throughout the fluid and the walls of the container.  

 
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Fig. 14.4.1. Pressure in a closed container 
 
Let  us  say  that  the  water  bottle  in  Fig.  14.4.1  has  a  small  neck  and a bigger body. If a force, 
F1  is  applied  in  the  fluid  near  the  opening,  the  pressure  in  this  part  of  the  container  is 
calculated using the equation,  
 

 
where:  
P1 is the pressure on the opening of the bottle in pascals (Pa);  
F1 is the force applied to the opening in newtons (N); and  
A1 is the area of the opening of the bottle in square meters (m2). 
 
According  to  Pascal’s  principle, this force must be uniformly distributed throughout the fluid 
and  the  walls  of  the  container.  You  can  predict  the  pressure  in  the  wider  part  of  the  bottle 
by  calculating  the  pressure on the opening. This also means that the pressure in the bottom 
(wider  part)  of  the  bottle  is  the  same  as  the  pressure  in  the  narrow  part  of  the bottle (near 
the opening). The pressure on the wider part of the bottle is described by the equation,  

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

 
where:  
P2 is the pressure on the wider part of the bottle in pascals (Pa); 
F2 is the force applied to the wider part in newtons (N); and  
A2 is the area of the bottom of the bottle in square meters (m2). 
 
Equating  the  pressure  in  both  parts  of  the  container  brings  us  to  the  mathematical 
definition of Pascal’s principle, expressed as: 
 

Equation 14.4.1 
 

 
where:  
F1 and F2 are forces in newtons (N); and  
A1 and A2 are areas in square meters (m2). 
 

Remember 
Pascal is the standard unit (SI unit) of pressure (1 Pa = 1 N/m2). 

Where can Pascal’s principle be applied?  

 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
Hydraulic Systems  
Some  machines  work  by  transmitting  forces  through  fluids  rather  than  gears  or  levers. 
These  machines  are  called  hydraulic  systems  or  hydraulic  machines.  Note that hydraulic 
systems only works when:  

1. The liquids used in these systems are incompressible; and  

2. The liquid obeys Pascal’s principle. 

Hydraulic brakes in cars and hydraulic jacks are examples of hydraulic systems.  
 
Hydraulic Brakes 
Most  car  brakes  are  examples  of  hydraulic  systems.  Most  commonly  known  as  hydraulic 
brakes,  such as in Fig. 14.4.2., when the brake pedal is pushed, a force is applied to a piston 
connected  to  a  tube  containing  brake  fluid.  This  tube  is  connected  to  another  cylinder, 
which  pushes  a  piston  connected  to  a  brake  pad  that  is  attached  to  a  rotating  metal  disk. 
This  metal  disk  is  then  connected  to  the  wheel  of the car. As the force is passed on through 
this metal disk, it provides friction to the wheel that slows it down or stops it.  
 

 
Fig. 14.4.2. Hydraulic brakes in cars 
 
Hydraulic Jack 
Another  thing  used  in  cars  is  a  hydraulic jack. A hydraulic jack is a machine that allows you 
to  lift  heavy  objects  easier.  An  example  of  a  simple  hydraulic  jack  is  shown in Fig. 14.4.3. In 
the  figure,  you  can  see  that  the  hydraulic  jack  can  be  divided  into  three  parts,  (1)  the  input 
piston, (2) the liquid, and (3) the output piston.  
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

 
Fig. 14.4.3. Hydraulic jack 
In  Fig.  14.4.3,  you  can  see  that  when  an  input  force  is  applied  to  the  input  piston,  its  small 
area  causes  high  pressure  on  the liquid in the hydraulic jack. According to Pascal’s principle, 
the  pressure  through  the  liquid  and  the  walls  of  the  container  is  equal.  Thus,  the  pressure 
on  the  liquid  near  the  output  piston  must  be  high  as  well.  Since  the  output  piston  has  a 
large  area,  the  high  pressure  will  create  a  large  output  force.  This  enables  the  system  to 
multiply  the  input  force.  Thus,  allowing  you  to  lift  heavy  objects with the help of a hydraulic 
system.  
 

How do the areas of the input and output pistons 

  affect the output force in a hydraulic system?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

  Let’s Practice!  
Example 1    
Refer to Fig. 14.4.4. What is the pressure at A?  

 
Fig. 14.4.4. Example 1  
 
Solution 
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem. 
You are asked to find the pressure at A. 
 
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem. 
The input force is 20 N and the area is 0.1 m2. 
 
Step 3: Write the working equation.  

 
 
Step 4: Substitute the given values.  

 
 
Step 5: Find the answer. 
 
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
The pressure at A is 200 Pa.  
 

1  Try It!  
Refer to Fig. 14.4.4, what is the pressure at B if the area of the output piston is 0.5 
m2?   

 
Example 2  
Refer to Fig. 14.4.5. What is the output force in B?  

 
Fig. 14.4.5. Example 2 
 
Solution 
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem. 
You are asked to find the output force in the hydraulic system.  
 
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem. 
The input force is 50 N, the input area is 0.3 m2, and the output area is 0.8 m2.  
 
Step 3: Write the working equation.  
Start with finding the pressure in the liquid.  

 
Then,  use  this  value  to  find  the  output  force,  since  the  pressure  on  the  liquid  is 
constant.  
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
 
Step 4: Substitute the given values.  
Solving for pressure: 

 
 
Solving for the output force in B:  

 
 
Step 5: Find the answer. 
 
 
The output force on piston B is 133.6 N.  
 

2  Try It!  
A  hydraulic  jack  is  used  to  lift  a  600-N  wheel.  The  areas  of  the  input  and  output 
pistons  are  0.2  m2  and  1.5  m2,  respectively.  Calculate  the  minimum  amount  of  force 
needed to lift the wheel.  

 
 
Example 3  
The  small  piston  of  a  hydraulic  system  has  an  area  of  15  cm2.  An  object  weighing  15  000 N 
sits  on  a  rack  mounted  on  the  large  piston.  The  large  piston  has  an  area  of  120  cm2. 
Calculate the force that must be applied to the small piston to support the car. 
 
Solution 
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem. 
You  are  asked  to  calculate  the  force  that  must  be  applied  to  the  small  piston  to 
support the car.  
 
 
 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem. 
The  area  of  the  small  piston  is  15  cm2,  the  force  on  the  large  piston  is  15  000  N, 
and the large piston’s area is 120 cm2.  
  
Step 3: Write the working equations.  
Start with converting the areas from cm2 to m2.  

 
 
Then, you can use Equation 14.4.1 to find the force on the small piston. 

 
 
Step 4: Substitute the given values.  

 
 
Step 5: Find the answer. 

 
 
Thus, the force on the small piston is 1875 N.  
 

3  Try It!  
The  large  piston  of  a  hydraulic  system  has  an  area  of  4.5  m2,  while  its  small  piston 
has  an  area  of  0.75  m2.  If  an  object  with  a  mass  of  500  kg will be placed on the large 
piston, how much force must be placed on the small piston to lift this mass?  

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

Key Points 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

● Pressure is defined as the force exerted over a unit area. 

● Pascal’s  principle  states  that  when  a  fluid  is  at  rest  in  a  closed  container,  the 
pressure  on  one  part  of  the  container  is  transmitted  without  any  loss throughout 
the fluid and the walls of the container.  
● Hydraulic  systems  are  machines  that  work  by  transmitting  forces  through  fluids 
rather than gears or levers.  
● Hydraulic  systems  only  work when the liquids used are incompressible, and  when 
the liquid obeys Pascal’s principle. 
● Hydraulic brakes in cars and hydraulic jacks are examples of hydraulic systems.  
___________________________________________________________________________________________  
 

Key Formulas 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

Concept  Formula  Description 

Pressure  Use this formula to solve for 

  pressure when the force 
where  and area are given.  
● P  is  for  pressure  in  pascals 
(Pa); 
● F  is  for  force  in  newtons 
(N), and 
● A  is  area  in  square  meters 
(m2) 

Pascal’s Principle   Use this formula to solve for 

  the force or area of a 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

where  hydraulic system given the 

● F1  and  F2  are  forces  in  force or area of the other 
newtons (N), and   parts of the hydraulic 
● A1  and  A2  are  areas  in  system.  
square meters (m2). 

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

  Check Your Understanding 

 

A. Identify what is described in each statement. 

______________ 1.   It is the force applied over a unit area. 

______________ 2.  It is the standard unit of pressure. 

______________ 3.  These are machines that use liquids to make work easier. 

______________ 4.  It states that when force is applied to a fluid, the force is 
equally distributed throughout the fluid and its walls. 

______________ 5.  It is used in cars to apply friction on the wheel to stop it 
from rotating.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 

B. Refer  to  the  figure  below.  Identify  what  will  happen to the following 

situations,  given  the  changes  mentioned.  Choose  one  of  the 
following: increase, decrease, or remain the same.  
 

 
1. What is the value of pressure throughout A and B.  
2. What will happen to the output force if the area of the output jack is decreased?  
3. What will happen to the output force if the area of the output jack is increased? 
4. What will happen to the output force if the area of the input jack is decreased?  
5. What will happen to the output force if the area of the input jack is increased?  
 

C. Solve the following problems.  

Items  1–5.  What  output  force  will  be  produced  in  a  hydraulic  system if the force on the 
input piston with an area of 0.01 m2 is 10 N, and the output piston’s area is 0.6 m2? 
1. What is the required quantity in the problem? 
2. What are the given measurements?  
3. What equation will you use?  
4. Write down the solution. 
5. What is your final answer? 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
Items  6–10.  A  hydraulic  system  produces  500  N  of  force  when  its  input  piston  is  given 
25 N of force. What is the output area if the input piston has an area of 10 cm2? 
6. What is the required quantity in the problem? 
7. What are the given measurements?  
8. What equation will you use?  
9. Write down the solution. 
10. What is your final answer? 
 

  Challenge Yourself 
 

Answer the following questions. 

1. Why is it important that fluids be incompressible for Pascal’s principle to be obeyed? 

2. Do gases obey Pascal’s principle? Why or why not?  
3. A hydraulic system acts as a force multiplier. Explain what is meant by this.  
4. Explain the mechanism of a hydraulic braking system. 
5. Explain how the arm of a crane can be operated using a hydraulic system.  
 

  Bibliography 
Faughn,  Jerry  S.  and  Raymond  A.  Serway.  Serway’s  College  Physics  (7th  ed).  Singapore: 
Brooks/Cole, 2006. 
 
Halliday, David, Robert Resnick and Kenneth Krane. Fundamentals of Physics (5th ed). USA:  
Wiley, 2002. 
 
Knight,  Randall  D.  Physics  for  Scientists  and  Engineers:  A  Strategic  Approach  (4th  ed).  USA: 
Pearson Education, 2017.  
 
Serway,  Raymond  A.  and  John  W.  Jewett,  Jr.  Physics  for  Scientists  and  Engineers  with  Modern 
Physics (9th ed). USA: Brooks/Cole, 2014. 
 
 
14.4. Pascal’s Principle  15 
 
  
Unit 14: Fluid Mechanics  
 
Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky’s University  
Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed). USA: Pearson Education, 2012. 
 

  Key to Try It! 

1. 200 Pa 
2. 80 N 
3. 817 N 

 
14.4. Pascal’s Principle  16