High School

A hydraulic lift is used to lift a car that weighs 3700 N. The car is pushing down on a 2.8 m² platform. Calculate the force that must be exerted on a 0.072 m² piston in order to lift the car.

Answer :

Final answer:

To lift a car weighing 3700 N using a hydraulic lift with a 0.072 m² piston, a force of 95.04 N must be exerted on the piston according to Pascal's principle.

Explanation:

To calculate the force that must be exerted on a 0.072 m² piston to lift a car weighing 3700 N using a hydraulic lift, you apply Pascal's principle which states that pressure is transmitted undiminished in an enclosed static fluid. The formula derived from this principle is: F1 / A1 = F2 / A2. Where F1 is the force applied on the small piston, A1 is the area of the small piston, F2 is the force exerted by the large piston (weight of the car), and A2 is the area of the large piston (platform). Given that the larger platform area (A2) is 2.8 m² and the force exerted by the car (F2) is 3700 N, you can find the force (F1) required on the smaller piston of 0.072 m² area (A1) by rearranging the formula: F1 = (F2 x A1) / A2. Substituting the given values: F1 = (3700 N x 0.072 m²) / 2.8 m², F1 = 95.04 N. Therefore, a force of 95.04 N must be exerted on the 0.072 m² piston to lift the car.