Question

An elephant (weight 50000 N) sits on the large plate of a hydraulic lift with area 10 m^2. The small plate of the lift has an area of 0.01 m^2. How much force, applied to the small plate, is required to lift the elephant? If I move the small plate a distance of 1 m, how far does the elephant move?

Answer 1

a)

F₁ = Force on the large plate = 50000 N

A₁ = area of large plate = 10 m²

F₂ = Force on the small plate

A₂ = area of small plate = 0.01 m²

Using pascal's law

F₁ / A₁ = F₂ / A₂

50000/10 = F₂ / 0.01

F₂ = 50 N

b)

F₁ d₁ = F₂ d₂

50000 x d₁ = 50 x 1

d₁ = 0.001 m