Question

To use hydraulic press as a force multiplier, the ratio of diameters of the Effort piston to Load piston should be

• A. less than 1
• B. equal to 1
• C. greater than 1
• D. Infinity

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

less than 1

To multiply the force, the pressure transmitted from the effort piston should work on a larger area. So, the area of load piston has to be greater than that of the effort piston. So, ratio of diameters of effort to load pistons should be less than 1.
Force on Load Piston > Force from Effort Piston
So, Pressure $\times$ base area of Load Piston > Pressure $\times$ base area of Effort Piston
Or, base area of Load Piston > base area of Effort Piston
Or, diameter of Load Piston > diameter of Effort Piston