INTRODUCTION

Pascal's principle applies to

incompressible fluids. One typical
application can be found in most
automotive repair shops that have a lift.
Basically, air from an air compressor is
applied to the top of the oil in a
container and the oil then applies
pressure to a sleeve/piston that lifts the
car. This is the same principle found
when using a hydraulic jack at home.
However, the smaller cylinder must
travel much farther than the larger lift
cylinder.
TITLE:
To study the Pascal’s Law and
its applications
TOPICS:
1. Pascal’s Law and its Invention
2. Mathematical Expression
3. Applications:
• Hydraulic Lift
• Hydraulic Brakes
• Hydraulic Press
• Hydraulic Pump
• Aircraft Hydraulic System
4. Experiment
5. Bibliography
PASCAL’S LAW

Discovered by French
mathematician Blaise
Pascal.

Pascal's law states that

pressure applied
anywhere in a confined
incompressible fluid is
transmitted
INVENTION
Pascal's law was discovered
during an experiment that
was allegedly performed in
the 1600's.
A 10 m long pole was
vertically inserted into a
barrel that was filled with
water. As the water was
poured into the vertical
tube, Pascal discovered that
the pressure from the water
caused the barrel to burst
In the experiment, Pascal
supposedly inserted a long vertical tube
into a barrel filled with water. When water
was poured into the vertical tube, the
increase in hydrostatic pressure caused the
barrel to burst.
MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION
Pascal’s Law Formula:

Pascal's Law formula shows the

relationship between pressure, force
applied and area of contact

P = F/A

F = PA

Where, P= Pressure, F=Force and

A=Area of contact

Let us understand the working principle

of Pascal’s law through an example.
A Pressure of 2000 Pa is
transmitted throughout a
Liquid Column by Applying a Force on
a Piston. If the Piston has an Area of 0.1
m2, what is the Force Applied?

We can calculate the value of force

using Pascal’s Law formula.

F = PA

Here,

P = 2000 Pa = N/m2

A = 0.1 m2

After substituting the values, we arrive

at Force = 20N or F = 200 N
 • Derivation:

Consider an arbitrary right-angled

prismatic triangle in the liquid of density
rho. Since the prismatic element is very
small, every point is considered to be at
the same depth as the liquid surface.
Therefore, the effect of gravity is also
the same at all these points.
Let ad, bd, and cd be the area of the
faces ABFE, ABDC, and CDFE,
respectively.
Let P1, P2, and P3 be the
pressure on the faces ABFE,
ABDC, and CDFE.

Pressure exerts a force which is normal

to the surface. Let P1 exert force F1 on
the surface ABFE, P2 exert force F2 on
the surface ABDC, and P3 exert force
F3 on the surface CDFE.
Therefore, Force F1, F2, and F3 is given
as:
F1 = P1 × area of ABFE = P1 ad
F2 = P2 × area of ABDC = P2 bd
F3 = P3 × area of CDFE = P3 cd
Also, sinθ=b/a
cosθ=c/a
The net force on the prism will be zero
since the prism is in equilibrium.
F1 sin θ = F2
F1 cos θ = F3
 P1 ad b/a = P2 bd (eq 1)
P1 ad c/a = P3 cd (eq 2)
From 1 and 2
P1 = P2 and P1 = P3
∴ P1= P2= P3.

APPLICATIONS
• Hydraulic Lift
• Hydraulic Brake
• Hydraulic Press
• Hydraulic pump
• Aircraft Hydraulic system.
HYDRAULIC LIFT
A hydraulic lift is
versatile in its utility. It
has a hydraulic
apparatus which is used
to lift heavy objects. In
the case of hydraulic
lifts, force applied
creates “lift” and
“work.”

It is based on the principle of equal

pressure transmission throughout the
fluid. A narrow cylinder (A) is connected
to a wider cylinder (B) fitted with airtight
pistons filled with an incompressible
fluid. The mathematical representation
of the Pascal’s Law helps in the
determination of pressure
which can be exerted on the fluid in the
piston so as to create enough force for
lifting and moving an object.

When pressure from piston A is

transmitted to piston B, piston B lifts the
heavy object like big machines,
vehicles. The hydraulic lift technology
has widespread applications in the
industrial, construction, transport sector,
etc.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE
One of the most common
examples of Pascal’s Law is the
hydraulic braking system present in the
automobiles.
Every time you
see a car come
to a halt, the
principle of
Pascal’s Law
comes into
action.
A number of
components form
the braking
system in cars.
When force is
applied on the
brake pedal, there is a
movement of the piston and
rod in the master cylinder. A liquid
which is known as brake or hydraulic
fluid, enclosed in the container, is used
to transmit the pressure from the brake
pedal to the wheels of the vehicle
against the brake discs or brake drums.
The frictional force between these force
components causes the vehicle to stop.
Hydraulic brakes are used in cars,
motorcycles and trucks.
HYDRAULIC PRESS
A hydraulic press
works on the
principle of Pascal’s
law, which states
that when pressure
is applied to a
confined fluid, the
pressure change
occurs throughout
the entire fluid.

Within the hydraulic press, there is a

piston that works as a pump that
provides a modest mechanical force to
a small area of the sample.
There is also a piston with a
larger area, which produces a
larger mechanical force.

A hydraulic press uses a hydraulic

cylinder to produce a compressive
force. Within a hydraulic press, there is a
plate where the sample is placed to be
pressed for sample preparation.
HYDRAULIC PUMP
Hydraulic pumps, which convert
mechanical energy into hydraulic
energy, facilitate the movement of a
fluid, and here, yet again, Pascal’s Law
comes into play.

Hydraulic pumps help in the discharge

of fluid. It is equipped with a small
cylinder connected to a large cylinder
and both the cylinders are filled with oil.
Compressed air introduced to the small
cylinder exerts a pressure on
the surface of the oil. This
pressure is transmitted by the
oil to the large cylinder where the
pressure acts on a large piston to
produce a force large enough to lift a
car.

Hydraulic pumps are used widely in the

automobile industry.
AIRCRAFT HYDRAULIC
SYSTEM
Hydraulic power system not only helps
in slowing down of airplanes on runways
but also help in the management of the
flaps, landing gear, and flight control
surfaces.

An aircraft hydraulic system consists of

three critical mechanical
components and hydraulic
fluid. Even a small amount of
hydraulic fluid helps in
transmitting a large amount of force.
The hydraulic fluid in contact with the
cylinders/pistons is at different pressure.
The oil which is at a relatively higher
pressure can be pumped to either side
of the piston head. The selector valve
helps in controlling the direction of the
fluid.
EXPERIMENT
Aim:
To demonstrate Pascal’s Law

Required materials:
• Matchsticks
• Bottle
• Rubber Balloon
• Twine
Procedure:
1) Prepare the matchsticks by
cutting off the heads of the matches
and discarding the tail ends (portions
without the combustible head).
2) Fill the bottle to the brim with
water
3) Drop the matchstick-heads into
the bottle
4) Cover the mouth of the balloon
tightly over the bottle’s opening
 5) Press your finger on the
balloon ‘diaphragm’
covering the mouth of the
bottle.

Precaution:
Ensure that the balloon you choose will
fit tightly around the mouth of the bottle
you choose for the experiment. You
may use twine to secure the balloon to
the mouth of the bottle if necessary.

Observation:
The match heads will float on top of the
water initially but as soon as the finger is
pressed on the balloon diaphragm,
they will begin to sink slowly to the
bottom. However, when the finger is
lifted, the matchstick-heads float up
again.
RESULT:
The match heads move down
owing to the pressure that is
transmitted through the water. When
the finger is pressed down on the
balloon diaphragm, a small quantity of
water penetrates into each match
head, which adds enough weight it
causing it sink. When the finger is
removed, there is ample air pressure
inside the match heads to force out
the water and make the match heads
rise again. Pascal’s Law is proven
hence.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Clippard.com
• Studiousguy.com
• Wikipedia.com
• Vedantu.com