Physics

Hiba Parkar
11-C 11977
 Aim

The aim of Pascal's law is to explain how pressure

changes in a confined fluid are transmitted
uniformly in all directions, enabling the
development of hydraulic systems .
 What is Pascal’s Law?
According to Pascal’s Law,
“The external static pressure applied on a confined
liquid is distributed or transmitted evenly
throughout the liquid in all directions”.

The static pressure acts at right angles to any

surface in contact with the fluid.
Pascal also found that the pressure at a point for a
static fluid would be the same across all planes
passing through that point in that fluid.

Pascal’s law is also known as Pascal’s principle or

principle of transmission of fluid-pressure.
In 1653, Pascal law was stated by French
mathematicianBlaisePascal.
 Pascal Law Formula
Following is the formula of Pascal law:
F = PA
Where F is the force applied, P is the pressure transmitted,
and A is the cross-sectional area.
 Pascal’s Law Derivation
Let us consider a right-angled triangle(with
sides p, q, and r) prism (height s) submerged in
the liquid of density ρ, also assume the size of
the submersed element is negligible with
compare to the volume of the liquid, and all the
points on the element experience the same
gravitational force.

Now, the area of the faces PQRS, PSUT, and QRUT

of the prism is ps, qs, and rs respectively. Also,
assume the pressure applied by the liquid on these
faces is P1, P2, and P3 respectively.
Exerted force by this pressure to the faces in the
perpendicular inward direction is F1, F2, and F3.
Thus, F1 = P1 × Area of PQRS = P1 × ps
F2 = P2 × Area of PSUT = P2 × qs
 F3 = P3 × Area of QRUT = P3 × rs
Now, in triangle PQT,
sin θ = p/r and cos θ = q/r
The net force on the prism will be zero since the
prism is in equilibrium.
F3 sin θ = F1 and F3 cos θ = F2 (putting values of
F1, F2, and F3 from the above values)
⇒ P3 × rs × p/r = P1 × ps and P3 × rs × q/r = P2 × qs
⇒ P3 = P1 and P3 = P2
Thus, P1 = P2 = P3
Therefore, pressure throughout the liquid remains
the same.
 Applications of Pascal’s
Law

1. Hydraulic Lift

It has many applications in daily life. Several devices, such as

hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes, are based on Pascal's law.
Fluids are used for transmitting pressure in all these devices.
In a hydraulic lift, as shown in the figure above, two pistons are
separated by the space filled with a liquid. A piston of small
cross-section A is used to exert a force F directly on the liquid.

The pressure P =F/A is transmitted throughout the liquid to the

larger cylinder attached with a larger
piston of area B, which results in an upward force
of P × B. Therefore, the piston is capable of
supporting a large force (large weight of, say a car
or a truck placed on the platform).
By changing the force at A, the platform can be
moved up or down. Thus, the applied force has
been increased by a factor of B/A and this factor is
the mechanical advantage of the device.
 2. Hydraulic Brake

In automobiles, the hydraulic brakes also work on the same

principle.
When we apply a little force on the pedal with our foot, the
master piston moves inside the master cylinder, and the
pressure caused is transmitted through the brake oil for acting
on a piston of the larger surface area. A large force then acts
on the piston and is pushed down, which expands the brake
shoes against the brake lining. Consequently, a small force on
the pedal produces an extremely retarding force on the wheel.

A significant advantage of the system is that the pressure,

which is set up by pressing the pedal , is transmitted equally to
all cylinders, which are attached to the four wheels to make
the braking effort equal on all wheels.
 3. Variation of Pressure with Depth

Consider a fluid at rest in a container. In the figure

above point 1 is at height h from point 2. P1 and P2
denote the pressure at points 1 and 2 respectively.
Consider a cylindrical element of fluid having an
area of base A and height h. Since the fluid is at
rest, the resultant horizontal forces should be zero
along with the resultant vertical forces balancing
the weight of the element. The forces, which are
acting in the vertical direction, are due to the fluid
pressure at the top (P1A) acting downward and at
the bottom (P2A) acting upward. If mg is the weight
of the fluid in the cylinder then we can say that,
(P2−P1)A=mg
Now, if ρ is the mass density of the fluid then the
mass of fluid will be
m=ρV=ρhA
So That
(P2−P1)=ρgh
Pressure difference depends on the vertical
distance h between the points
 (1 and 2), The mass density of the fluid ρ
acceleration due to gravity g. If the point 1 under
discussion is shifted to the top of the fluid (say,
water), which is open to the atmosphere, P1 may
be replaced by atmospheric pressure (Pa ) and we
replace P2 by P. Then the above equation gives, P
= Pa + ρgh
 Conclusion
In conclusion, Pascal's law, formulated by the French
mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, has had a
profound impact on our understanding of fluid
mechanics and its practical applications.

This fundamental principle states that a change in

pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted
uniformly in all directions, without any loss of intensity.

Pascal's law has enabled the development of hydraulic

systems, such as hydraulic lifts and brakes, which rely
on the transmission of pressure to perform mechanical
work efficiently.

Moreover, this law has found widespread use in various

fields, including engineering, physics, and even medical
science, contributing to advancements in areas such as
fluid dynamics, hydrology, and cardiovascular medicine.
Bibliography
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