Chapter 3

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26
Forces And Pressure

Pascal’s Principle

Pascalʼs Principle
When a liquid completely fills a vessel, and a pressure is applied to it at any part of its
surface, that pressure is transmitted equally throughout the whole of the enclosed liquid.

Water is ejected out in all directions with the

Push Water same magnitude showing that water pressure
is acting with the same magnitude in all
Piston directions.

Applications
A hydraulic jack is used to lift a car
Explanation:
F F
Applied pressure, p = 1 = 1
A1 0.01
F2 F
Transmitted pressure, p = = 2 F2
A2 1 F1
Small Large
F F 0.01 m2 1 m2
By Pascalʼs principle, 2 = 1 piston piston p
1 0.01
Hence, F2 = 100 F1 p
p

Hydraulic system in car brake

Font wheel brake disc
Brake oil Hind wheel
Primary Force Brake drum
cylinder
Piston Brake shoe
Pedal Spring
Piston
Hydraulic Brake pad
cylinder
Steel disc Piston

A small force acting on the pedal can transmit a large force to stop the wheel.

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