Question

(1) A hydraulic press is used to lift heavy objects. It consists of a U-tube, one end having a large cross-sectional area A1, the other having a small cross-sectional area A2. The tube is filled with an incompressible fluid and the load is placed on A1. The load is lifted a distance Δx 1 by applying a force to piston A2, moving it a distance Δx 2. (1-1) If the force applied is F2, what load can be lifted?

Answer 1

The load that can be lifted is equal to the weight W = F2A1/A2

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Pascal principle which states that the pressure applied to a liquid confined in a container will be transmitted equally to all other parts of the container.

Since pressure = Force/Area

The force F2 applied at one end of the piston will generate a pressure of F2/A2. This pressure generated will be transmitted to the other end of the piston of area A1 to lift the load through a distance.

The piston where the load is will experience an upward force F1 which is equal to Pressure × Area.

The pressure experienced by the load is applied by force F2.

Force on the load = (Pressure exerted by Force F2) × Area at the larger end A1

Force on the load = F2/A2 × A1

Since the load experiences a weight W

The weight will be equal to the force on the load which is to be lifted i.e W =Force on the load.

W = F2A1/A2

The load that can be lifted is equal to the weight W = F2A1/A2