Question

The area of cross-section of the two arms of a hydraulic press are 1 cm² and 10 cm² respectively (figure). A force of 5 N is applied on the water in the thinner arm. What force should be applied on the water in the thicker arms so that the water may remain in equilibrium?

Answer 1

In equilibrium, the pressures at the two surfaces should be equal as they lie in the same horizontal level. If the atmospheric pressure is P and a force F is applied to maintain the equilibrium, the pressures are