PASCAL’S LAW

Hello! In this week’s article, we would like to talk about Pascal’s Law, which forms the foundation of hydraulic systems. This law was discovered by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century and is known as Pascal’s Principle.

In physics, Pascal’s law or Pascal’s principle states that in a fluid at rest and theoretically incompressible, the pressure is the same at all points that are at the same absolute height, even if additional pressure is applied to some points of the fluid. In short, we can say that this fluid is under the same pressure everywhere. Pascal’s principle applies to liquids in closed containers. This law is a turning point in laying the foundations of hydraulics.

• According to Pascal’s principle, by changing the location and size of the surface on which the pressure acts, pressure forces of the desired direction and magnitude can be obtained.
• By utilizing Pascal’s principle, applications such hydraulic presses, hydraulic brakes, hydraulic lifts, cranes, barber chairs, and instruments used to measure pressure (such as barometers and manometers) have been made. With this principle, it is possible to amplify a small force and use it in the applications mentioned above.

For example, in the vehicle lift platform shown below, since the pressure in the closed container will be the same and evenly distributed on the surfaces, a force up to 10 times greater can be obtained from a small force by using a larger cross-section, allowing the vehicle to be lifted.

We hope you enjoyed reading our article explaining the law that laid the foundations of hydraulics. See you next week!