Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Fluids: Problem Problem_28

A piston of cross-sectional area \(a\) is used in a hydraulic press to exert a small force of magnitude \(f\) on the enclosed liquid. A connecting pipe leads to a larger piston of cross-sectional area \(A\) (Fig. 14.16). (a) What force magnitude \(F\) will the larger piston sustain without moving? (b) If the piston diameters are \(3.80 \text{ cm}\) and \(53.0 \text{ cm}\), what force magnitude on the small piston will balance a \(20.0 \text{ kN}\) force on the large piston?