Final answer:
The total force exerted on a piston can be calculated using the formula: Force = Pressure x Area.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the total force exerted on a piston, we can use the formula:
Force = Pressure x Area
The pressure in the cylinder is given as 100 psig, which stands for pounds per square inch gauge.
Area of the piston can be calculated using the formula:
Area = pi x radius^2
Given that the diameter of the piston is 3 inches, the radius would be 1.5 inches or 1.5/12 feet.
Substituting these values into the formula, we get:
Area = 3.1416 x (1.5/12)^2 square feet
Now we can calculate the force exerted on the piston using the formula:
Force = 100 psig x Area
Let's calculate the values to find the total force exerted on the piston.