# Pascals Principle Formula

In a fluid, static pressure is exerted on the container of the wall and the fluid. Such forces operate vertically to the container wall. The pressure is distributed unequally in all areas of the fluid when external pressure is applied to the fluid. This principle is known as Pascal’s principle named after the Physicist Blaise Pascal. The theory of the Pascal applies only to the external pressure and the pressure at the bottom is higher than the top within the fluid.

According to Pascal’s principle, the force per unit area describes an external pressure which is transmitted through fluid and the formula is written as,

$\frac{F_{1}}{A_{1}}=\frac{F_{2}}{A_{2}}$

Example 1:

For a hydraulic device, a piston has a cross-sectional area of 30 square centimetres moving an incompressible liquid with a force of 60 N. The other end of the hydraulic pipe is attached to a 2nd piston with a 60 square centimetre cross-sectional area. Determine the force on the second piston?

Solution:

Given

F1 = 60 N

A1 = 30 square centimeters

A2 = 60 square centimeters

Insert the given values to calculate the force on the second piston:

F2 = A2 x F1/A1

F = 60 x 60 / 30

F = 120 N