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A digger benefits from the use of hydraulics.

Forces - Hydraulics

Find out how hydraulic systems use pressure in liquids to multiply forces in brakes, car jacks and machinery in this clear, exam-focused GCSE Physics quiz.

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Fascinating Fact:

This force multiplication happens because the pressure stays the same, but the output piston has a greater area.

In GCSE Physics, hydraulics shows how pressure in a liquid is transmitted equally in all directions. You learn how pistons, brakes and lifting systems use this effect to multiply forces safely and efficiently.

Key Terms

Pressure: The force acting per unit area, calculated using the formula pressure = force ÷ area, and measured in pascals (Pa).
Hydraulic system: A system that uses a liquid in a closed tube to transmit pressure and produce a force at another point.
Force multiplier: A device, such as a hydraulic lift or brake, that produces a larger output force from a smaller input force.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a hydraulic system in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, a hydraulic system is a closed system containing a liquid where pressure applied at one piston is transmitted through the liquid to another piston, creating a turning or lifting effect.

How do hydraulic car brakes work?

When you press the brake pedal, a small force acts on a master piston. This force creates pressure in the brake fluid, which is transmitted to wider pistons at the wheels, producing a larger braking force.

Why are liquids used instead of gases in hydraulic systems?

Liquids are used in hydraulic systems because they are almost incompressible, so the pressure is transmitted efficiently and predictably, giving a quick and reliable response when forces are applied at the pistons.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What fact can be said of liquids?

They are virtually incompressible

Easily compressible

All liquids have the same molecules

No liquid can be mixed with another liquid

Using a liquid in a hydraulic system is a good idea, as the liquid transfers the pressure from one side of the system to the other. Changes in the area of a section of the system can allow the force to be multiplied

2 .

What are the units of pressure?

Coulombs

Pascals

Volts

Newtons

One pascal is a force of one newton acting over one metre squared so they are quite small units

3 .

What is the length of a rectangle within a hydraulic system having a width of 5 m that is subjected to a pressure of 15 Pa and a force of 15 N?

0.1 m

0.2 m

0.5 m

1 m

Rearrange the pressure equation to work out the area. You know the length of one side of the rectangle and so you can work out the length of the other

4 .

Different cross-sectional areas on the effort and load sides of a hydraulic system enables it to be used as a what?

Boat

Force multiplier

Mass multiplier

Electron multiplier

For a given pressure, if it acts over a larger area, the force will be greater

5 .

What is the formula used to calculate pressure in different parts of a hydraulic system?

P = F x A

A = F x P

P = ^F⁄_A

P = ^A⁄_F

Pressure is a measure of the force per unit area

6 .

If a system has an area of 2 m² at its effort side and 5 m² at its load side, how much more force does the load side experience?

100% more

200% more

250% more

300% more

Simple proportion

7 .

What is the pressure of a system which experiences a force of 100 N over an area of 10 m²?

1 Pa

10 Pa

100 Pa

0.1 Pa

100 divided by 10

8 .

Which of the following can benefit from the use of hydraulics?

Digger

Glass cup

Printer

All of the above

Diggers and brakes are two common GCSE examples of the use of hydraulic systems

9 .

How is pressure distributed in a liquid?

Non-uniformly in one direction

Equally in one direction

Equally in all directions

Non-uniformly in all directions

This is Pascal's law

10 .

A 2 cm x 5 cm rectangle within a hydraulic system experiences a force of 50 N. What is the pressure within the system?

50 Pa

500 Pa

5 Pa

50,000 Pa

Always check units given in the question. It is common for measurements to be given in cm² when a formula requires them to be in m². 10 cm² = 0.001 m²

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Pressure

Author: Martin Moore