Pascal’s principle and ideal hydraulics
A pressure change is transmitted; pressure need not be equal at different heights.
Key knowledge
In a connected enclosed incompressible fluid at static equilibrium, an applied pressure increment is transmitted throughout without changing its value. For ideal pistons at equal height, the transmitted pressure increment gives F₂/F₁=A₂/A₁. Larger output force accompanies a smaller displacement; ideal hydraulic force multiplication does not create energy.
Values and equations
Δp=F₁/A₁=F₂/A₂; A₁Δx₁=A₂Δx₂
- Δp
- Transmitted pressure increment Pa
- F₁,F₂
- Piston force increments associated with Δp N
- A₁,A₂
- Piston areas m²
- Δx₁,Δx₂
- Input/output displacement magnitudes m
Conditions and scope
- Connected static fluid of fixed density, rigid container, negligible compressibility and leakage.
- The piston relation concerns transmitted increments after atmospheric, piston-weight and hydrostatic contributions are accounted for. Different piston heights add a hydrostatic pressure difference.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Read §14.3 Pascal’s increment distinction and equal-height hydraulic ratio. The displacement relation is disclosed volume conservation for incompressible ideal pistons; no pressure-equality assertion across different heights.
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