Which statement describes how force output relates to piston area at a given pressure?

Which statement describes how force output relates to piston area at a given pressure?

• A. Force output is proportional to the piston area
• B. Force output is independent of piston area
• C. Force output is proportional to the square of the piston area
• D. Force output is proportional to the rod area

Answer: (A)

For a given pressure, force output increases in direct proportion to the piston area. The hydraulic force is F = P × A, so when pressure is fixed, doubling the piston area doubles the force, and so on. For example, at 100 psi, a 1 in² piston yields 100 pounds of force, while a 2 in² piston yields 200 pounds. This shows a linear relationship between force and area. This isn’t independent of area, and it isn’t proportional to the square of the area. The rod area doesn’t set the hydraulic force in this context; it’s the piston area that the fluid pressure acts upon that determines the force.

For a given pressure, force output increases in direct proportion to the piston area. The hydraulic force is F = P × A, so when pressure is fixed, doubling the piston area doubles the force, and so on. For example, at 100 psi, a 1 in² piston yields 100 pounds of force, while a 2 in² piston yields 200 pounds. This shows a linear relationship between force and area.

This isn’t independent of area, and it isn’t proportional to the square of the area. The rod area doesn’t set the hydraulic force in this context; it’s the piston area that the fluid pressure acts upon that determines the force.