Final answer:
The statement that a jack can be used for supporting a lifted load is true. Hydraulic jacks use the principles of Pascal's law to lift and support heavy objects such as vehicles, allowing smaller input forces to lift larger weights securely.
Step-by-step explanation:
A jack can indeed be used for the purpose of supporting a lifted load. This statement is true. Hydraulic jacks operate on the principle of Pascal's law, utilizing an incompressible fluid within a U-tube system to transmit force from one piston to another, effectively allowing a smaller force applied over a small area to balance a much larger force over a larger area. The mechanical advantage is created by the difference in size between the two pistons, where the area of the larger piston is greater than that of the smaller piston. When a small force is applied to the smaller piston, the pressure is transmitted through the fluid, and an amplified force can lift the car on the larger piston side.
The hydraulic jack lifts heavy loads, like vehicles for maintenance, by utilizing a movable piston and the physical principle that force applied to an incompressible fluid is evenly distributed throughout the fluid. Its function is not limited to just lifting, but also to support the load safely while work is being performed. This capability makes it an essential tool for mechanics and in other applications that require heavy lifting and support.
To further illustrate, other devices that apply similar principles for lifting heavy loads are screw jacks and pulley systems. Screw jacks lift objects by turning a screw, and pulley systems use wheels and ropes to gain mechanical advantage. However, when using these systems, it's important to understand they are designed to lift loads; stable supports should be in place to hold a load for an extended time.