Final answer:
In maximum pressure differential situations, hydraulic systems activate based on Pascal's Principle, allowing pressure transmission undiminished throughout the fluid. These systems are essential in automotive brakes and hydraulic lifts, multiplying force through differing piston sizes to perform work such as lifting heavy vehicles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Activation of Systems in Maximum Pressure Differential Situations
When faced with a maximum pressure differential situation, the hydraulic systems are the ones that will activate. Pascal's Principle states that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all parts of the fluid and the enclosing walls. Hydraulic systems utilize this principle to amplify force; when a force is applied to a small area, it generates a pressure that can be transmitted to a larger area, resulting in a larger output force.
For example, if a 100-N force is applied to a piston with a small surface area in a hydraulic system, and the connected piston has a surface area five times greater, according to Pascal's Principle, the output force would be 500 N. This principle allows hydraulic systems to be used in various applications, including automotive brakes, hydraulic jacks, and more.
Hydraulic lift calculations show that the force exerted on the pedal cylinder to support a 2000-kg car would depend on the size difference between the pedal cylinder and the wheel cylinder. This is critical in applications like automotive lifts where force multiplication through different piston sizes is necessary to lift heavy weights such as cars.