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Hydraulic Press: Pascal's Principle (2D)

Interactive 2D hydraulic press: drag the piston-area ratio and input force sliders to see Pascal's principle multiply force in real time, with the output force computed live as F2 = F1 x A2/A1.

Everyday Physics2DEasy60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D diagram shows the classic two-piston hydraulic press: a narrow input cylinder and a wide output cylinder connected by a fluid-filled pipe. Set the area of each piston and the force pushing on the small one, then hold the push button to watch the incompressible fluid transmit pressure equally in every direction, lifting the wide output piston with a far greater force while moving a far shorter distance. Every readout — pressure, output force and the distance ratio — is computed live from Pascal's principle, F2 = F1 × A2/A1, so you can see force multiplication and volume conservation happen together instead of just reading the formula.

⚙ Under the hood

Adjust the piston-area ratio and input force on a two-piston hydraulic press and watch Pascal's principle multiply force in real time, with pressure, output force and distance ratio all computed live from F2 = F1 x A2/A1.

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install