Hydraulic Press: Pascal's Law Force Multiplier (2D)

Input Side (small piston)

Applied force F₁ 220 N

Input piston diameter d₁ 3.0 cm

Output Side (ram)

Output piston diameter d₂ 24.0 cm

Object on Anvil

Crush strength 180 kPa

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Fluid pressure P

0 kPa

Output force F₂

0 N

Mechanical advantage

×0

Travel ratio x₁:x₂

0:0

Object status

—

How it works

An incompressible fluid connects two sealed pistons of different area. Pascal's Law says pressure applied anywhere in a confined fluid is transmitted equally everywhere:

P = F1 / A1 = F2 / A2
F2 = F1 * (A2 / A1) = F1 * (d2 / d1)^2

Because the output piston has a much larger area, the same pressure produces a much larger force — the "mechanical advantage" of the press. Volume is conserved, so the trade-off is travel: the small piston must move a long distance to move the large piston a short distance (A1·x1 = A2·x2). The object crushes only when F2 divided by its contact area exceeds its crush strength.

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