P3.2.3 Hydraulics Flashcards
Why are liquids ideal for use in hydraulics?
Liquids are virtually incompressible, and the pressure in a liquid is transmitted equally in all directions.
How do you calculate pressure?
Force / Area
How does a hydraulic system act as a force multiplier?
A force is applied to a plunger with a small surface area which creates a large amount of pressure which is transmitted through the liquid.
The same amount of pressure is applied to a plunger with a larger surface area where it creates a larger force.
What do you measure pressure in?
Pascals (Pa)
Describe an example of using hydraulics.
Braking system of a car - a relatively small force from the driver’s foot is multiplied to produce a greater force, which acts equally on all four brake pads.