3.

State Pascal’s principle states that when pressure is applied to an enclosed

Pascal’s fluid, the pressure will be transmitted equally throughout the whole
Principle enclosed fluid.

When the piston is pushed into the flask water will spurt out equally
Experi- through the holes in the glass flask with the same speed.
ment to The pressure acting on the water is transferred uniformly throughout
verify the water.
the
Pascal’s
Principle

Explain A hydraulic system is a device in which a small applied force can give rise to
hydraulic a larger force.
system  A small input force, F1 is applied to the small piston resulting in a large
output force, F2.
 Pressure at small cylinder = Pressure at large cylinder
 Based on the
Pascal’s Principle,
the pressure is
transmitted
uniformly in all
directions,
F1 = F2
A1 A2
Where:
F1 = Input force
F2 = Output force
A1 = input piston area
A2 = output piston area

 When incompressible fluid is moved through a hydraulic system, the

volume through which the input system moved must be the same as the
volume through which the output system, Hence
A1d1 = A2d2
 Hydraulic systems acts as a force multiplier. They multiply the input force
by a certain factor to gain a larger output force.
 The magnitude of the force at the large piston depends on
(a) the force, F1, applied to the small piston,
(b) the ratio of the surface area of the piston,
 A hydraulic system must not contain any air bubbles in any position of
its hydraulic fluid system. This will reduce the efficiency of the system
as part of the applied force will be used up to compress the air bubbles.

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 Solve problem involving Pascal’s Principle

1. The figure above shows a hydraulic jack. Piston

P and Piston Q have cross-sectional areas
10cm2 and 250cm2 respectively. If mass of 6kg
is placed on piston P, what is the maximum
weight that can be lifted by Piston Q.

2. The figure shows a simple hydraulic

system. Assume there is no friction in
the system.
(a) what is the pressure at A?
(b) what is the pressure at B?
(c) what is the upward force
produced?
(d) What is the effect on the hydraulic
system if the cross-sectional area
of the large piston is increase?

3. A basic hydraulic system has small and large

pistons with cross-sectional areas of 2 cm2 and
50 cm2 respectively. When a force of 20 N is
applied to the small piston, it pushes down the
piston by 20 cm. Calculate
(a) the pressure transmitted in the hydraulic fluid,
(b) the force acting on the large piston,
(c) the distance moved by the large piston
(d) the magnification of the force.

2
 Application of Pascal’s Principle

(1) Hidraulik Jack

When the handle is pulled, valve P is still closed
and valve Q opens so the pressure can be sent to
the larger piston. The large piston will rise.

While the small piston is pulled out, valve Q closes

and valve P opens so that the oil in the tank enter
into the hydraulic cylinder as a result of
atmospheric pressure.

By moving the push-pull handle a number of times ,

the large piston can be raised carrying a heavy
load.

(2) Hidraulik Brake A small force acting at the pedal can transmit a
large force to all wheels simultaneously to stop the
car.
It is because the pressure will be transferred
through the pedal brake liquid to car’s tyre .
The frictional forces between the brake drum and
the brake pedal cause the vehicle to slow down or
stop.

The spring pulls the brake discs to their original

positions.

The hydraulic brake system is less effective if air

bubbles are present in the brake fluid. Part of the
applied force will be used up in compressing the air
bubbles. This will reduce the response time of the
brakes.

2. A boy invented a machine to compress old

newspaper. The machine consists of a
hydraulic system with two pistons. Piston
A has a smaller cross-sectional area
compared to piston B.
(a) the function of this machine is based on
a principle in physics. Name the
principle,

(b) Explain why a small force exerted by

the boy can result in a much bigger
force acting on the old newspaper.

3
1. Figure shows a hydraulic lift commonly
used in a workshop. Highly compressed air
is used to push the piston upwards. The
force produces is enough to lift a car.
(a) By referring to the diagram, explain
how a car can be lifted by the
hydraulic lift.

(b) Explain how the car can be lowered

after repair works are done.

2. Figure shows dentist treating a patient.

The dentist presses on the input piston to
raise the patient. The cross-sectional areas
of the input piston and the output piston are
400 cm2 and 600 cm2 respectively.
(a) Describe how the patient is raised to a
certain height.
(b) How much force is exerted by the
dentist in order to raise a patient of 54
kg?
(c) If the patient is raised to a height of 8
cm, how far should input piston be
pushed down?

TUTORIAL 3.4 D. The pressure on piston P is smaller

1. The figure shows a hydraulic pump.
R
Which comparison is true?
A. The force F is the same as the weight
of the load
B. The force F is greater than the weight
of the load
C. The pressure on piston P is the same
as the pressure on piston Q
than the pressure on piston Q
2. A force of 20N is applied to the input
piston in a hydraulic jack. If the input
piston area and output piston area are
0.02 m2 and 0.1 m2 respectively, what is
the output force?
A 20 N B 50 N
C 100 N D 200 N
E 400 N
3. A hydraulic press has an input cylinder 8
cm in diameter and output cylinder 24
cm in diameter. If the input piston is
moved through 10 cm , how far is the
output piston moved?
A 0.11 cm B 0.30 cm

4
 C 10.0 cm D 30.0 cm 7. The figure shows a basic hydraulic
E 90.0 cm system has a small and large pistons
with cross sectional-areas 0.0005 m2 and
0.0015 m2 respectively. When a force of
20 N is applied to the small piston, it
pushes down by 0.6 m.

Determine
4. If the area of input piston and output (a) the pressure is applied on the small
piston are 0.03 m2 and 0.90 m2 piston
respectively, what is the mass of object
P.
A 3.2 x 102 kg B 2.4x 102kg (b) the pressure is transmitted to the
2
C 2.0 x 10 kg D 1.8x 102kg large piston
E 1.2x 10 kg2

5. The figure shows a brake system of a (c) the magnitude of the force ,F.
car.

(d) the volume of oil transmitted .

(e) the distance moved by the large

piston.

8. The figure shows the arrangement of the

hydraulic brake system of a car. The
cross-sectional area of the main brake
cylinder, the front brake cylinder and the
Which principle is used in this system?
rear brake cylinder are 5 x 10 - 4 m 2 , 6.0
A Pascal’s principle
x 10 - 4 m 2 and 5.5 x 10 - 4 m 2
B Bernoulli’s principle
respectively.
C Archimedes’ principle
D Principle of conservation of
momentum

6. Diagram below shows toothpaste being

squeezed out from the tube.

Which principle explains the situation

above? (2007) (a) The brake pedal is pressed with a
A. Pascal constant force 15N.
B. Bernoulli (i) On the figure above indicate the
C. Archimedes direction of motions of the front

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 brake cylinder and the rear brake
cylinder.

(ii) State the relationship between the

liquid pressure in the front brake
cylinder and the rear brake cylinder.

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(iii) Calculate the pressure is exerted on

each rear brake system.

(b) Explain why the front brake piston is

applied a larger force than the rear
brake piston.

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(c) Why is the brake system in the car is

less effective air bubbles are present in
the brake fluid. Give reasons for your
answer.

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(d) Why is the cross-sectional area of the

rear brake cylinder of the right wheel is
the same as the cross-sectional area of
the rear brake cylinder of the left
wheel?

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