Tuesday, 31 July 2012


Applications of Pascal's Principle

1. Hydraulic Jack


  • it uses a fluid, which is incompressible, that is forced into a cylinder by a pump plunger.
  • however, oil is used since it is self lubricating and stable. 
  • the pressure produced by the force applied is transmitted through the oil to the large piston thus the large piston is pulled up by a large force.
  • to lower the large piston,the release valve has to be opened to allow the oil to flow back into the buffer tank
2. Hydarulic Lift

  • consists of 2 cylinders of different diameters with each of the cylinders is fitted with a piston and filled with oil.
  • when a switch is on, compressed air is pumped into the small cylinder to exert a force and a pressure on the oil.
  • this pressure is transmitted through the oil to the large cylinder thus producing a force strong enough to lift a heavy load such as cars.
3. Hydraulic Brakes


  • used in vehicles to produce a braking force on all the wheels simultaneously at the instant the brake pedal is applied.
  • 2 types of brakes in a car :                                                                                                                                    a) disc brakes at the front wheels                                                                                                                                                     b) drum brakes at the back wheels
  • when the brake pedal is pressed, pressure is exerted on the brake fluid by the large piston in the master cylinder.
  • this pressure is transmitted through the brake fluid to all the small cylinders of the wheels.
  • when the brake pedal is released, the small pistons return to their initial positions.
  • a string connecting the 2 brake shoes at the back wheels contract and pull them away from the brake drum.
  • the wheel is then free to rotate again.
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