Application of Pascal’s Principle
Application of Pascal’s Principle
One of the most important technological applications of Pascal’s principle is found in a hydraulic system, which is an enclosed fluid system used to exert forces. The most common hydraulic systems are those that operate car brakes. Let us first consider the simple hydraulic system shown in the figure below.
A typical hydraulic system with two fluid-filled cylinders, capped with pistons and connected by a tube called a hydraulic line. A downward force \({\mathbf{\text{F}}}_{1}\) on the left piston creates a pressure that is transmitted undiminished to all parts of the enclosed fluid. This results in an upward force \({\mathbf{\text{F}}}_{2}\) on the right piston that is larger than \({\mathbf{\text{F}}}_{1}\) because the right piston has a larger area.
This lesson is part of:
Fluid Statics