Question

Two cylindrical vessels fitted with pistons A and B of
area of cross section 8 cm2 and 320 cm2 respectively,
are joined at their bottom by a tube and they are
completely filled with water. When a mass of 4 kg is
placed on piston A,find : (i) the pressure on piston A,
(ii) the pressure on piston B, and (iii) the thrust on
piston B.
​

Answer 1

Answer:

Let E be the effort applied on the smaller piston A and L be the load required on the larger piston B. 

Area of cross section of pistion A=8cm2

Area of cross section of pistion A=320cm2

(i) Pressure acting on piston A in the downward direction =Thrust/Area=E/8=4/8=0.5

∴Pressure acting on water =E/8=0.5 (according to Pascal's Law)

(ii) ∴ Pressure acting on piston B=E/8=0.5 (according to Pascal's Law)

(iii) Thrust acting on piston B in the upward direction =Pressure  ×Area  ofB

=8E×320=160