What is the Formula for Calculating Force in a Hydraulic System?

[starfish794]

Piston 1 has a diameter of 0.34 in. Piston 2 has a diameter of 1.0 in. In the absence of friction, determine the force, necessary to support the 500 lb weight over piston 2.

I used F(1) = pi(r1^2)/pi(r2^2)*F(2)

and got the wrong answer. I used radii of .17in and .5in. Is that the right formula? Do I need to convert the units to something else?

 

[ultimateguy]

Well if your force is in Newtons, then you would need to convert the inches to meters.

 

[civil_dude]

I get the same answer?

We know that F1=P A1 and F2=P A2, solve 2 for P, P = F2/A2 and substitute.

F1 = F2/A2 A1

I get 57.8 Pounds which makes sense.