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Physics · Class 11

Link a pair of pistons

Mechanical Properties of Fluids

A pressure increase applied to a confined fluid reaches both pistons. The larger piston produces more force, but moves a smaller distance so the ideal lift conserves work.

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Link a pair of pistons

மூடிய திரவத்தில் அளிக்கப்படும் அழுத்தம் எல்லா திசைகளிலும் பரவும். பெரிய பிஸ்டன் அதிக விசையுடன் குறைந்த தூரம் நகரும்.

Key notes, relationships and model limits

Key relationship

p=F₁/A₁=F₂/A₂; A₁x₁=A₂x₂.

Remember

A pressure increase applied to a confined fluid reaches both pistons. The larger piston produces more force, but moves a smaller distance so the ideal lift conserves work.

Common trap

A hydraulic force gain is not an energy gain.

Model limits

Connected incompressible fluid, pistons at equal height, no friction or losses. The output force gain trades off against output distance.

What you will learn

Predict force and displacement trade-offs in a hydraulic machine.

Try the experiment

Try both scenarios, change one control, and predict the result before checking the graph and readouts.

Think of it this way

Change one input while keeping the others fixed, as you would in a controlled experiment.

Worked example

A 10 cm input stroke moves the output 0.5 cm. Input work=100×0.1=10 J, equal to 2000×0.005=10 J.

Why this matters

The model connects link a pair of pistons with an observable reading. Check the equation and assumptions before applying it.

Before you start

SI units · algebra · graph reading

Check your understanding

For piston areas 5 and 100 cm², what output comes from 100 N?

Read the explanation

The area ratio is 100/5=20, so F₂=20×100 N.

Course connection: Class XI Chapter 9. Consult the roadmap for CBSE, NEET, JEE Main and Advanced scope.