Question

A hydraulic lift is used to lift a heavy box that is pushing down on a 3.0m2 piston with a force of 1500 N. What force needs to be exerted on a 0.08 m2 piston to lift the box?

Answer 1

40 N

Step-by-step explanation:

`F_1` = Force on piston = 1500 N

`A_1` = Area of the first piston = 3 m²

`A_2` = Area of the second piston = 0.08 m²

`F_2` = Force on the second piston

From Pascal's law we have

`(F_1)/(A_1)=(F_2)/(A_2)\\\Rightarrow F_2=(F_1A_2)/(A_1)\\\Rightarrow F_2=(1500* 0.08)/(3)\\\Rightarrow F_2=40\ N`

The force that is needed to lift the box is 40 N