Question

1. If a pressure of 20 kPa is applied to one piston in a simple hydraulic device, the pressure on a piston of larger area will be?A) less than 20 kPa.B) the same 20 kPa.C) more than 20 kPa.D) all of the above

Answer 1

B) the same as 20 kPa

Step-by-step explanation

The pressure of 20 kPa is applied to one piston and then that same pressure is applied to a piston with a larger area.

Pressure is given as the force applied divided by the area of the surface on which it is applied, which means that pressure is inversely proportional to the area:

`P=(F)/(A)`

where P = pressure; F = force; A = area

We have, however, that the same pressure is applied to the piston which means that the force applied must be greater to accommodate for the larger surface area.

Hence, the pressure on a piston of a larger area will be the same.