A hydraulic system can multiply an applied force many times over, yet it cannot multiply the work done. What prevents that?
AThe fluid loses pressure along the line
BThe fluid always loses heat to the line
CThe output piston moves a smaller distance
DThe input piston moves a smaller distance
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The output piston moves a smaller distance
1. Work is force multiplied by the distance moved.
2. Conservation of energy means the work coming out cannot exceed the work going in.
3. The slave cylinder therefore moves through a smaller distance than the master cylinder by exactly the factor that its force is larger.
4. Adding more slave cylinders makes each one move a still smaller distance.
5. Pressure is transmitted undiminished by Pascal's principle, so losing pressure along the line is not the limiting reason.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 11 "Fluid Statics", section 11.5 Pascal's Principle_
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