A 12,000-N car is raised using a hydraulic lift, which consists of a U-tube with arms of unequal areas, filled with oil and capped at both ends with tight-fitting pistons. The wider arm of the U-tube has a radius of 18.0 cm and the narrower arm has a radius of 5.00 cm. The car rests on the piston on the wider arm of the U-tube. The pistons are initially at the same level. What is the initial force that must be applied to the

F₂ = 925.92 N

Explanation:

In a hydraulic lift the normal stress applied to one arm must be equally transmitted to the other arm. Therefore,

σ₁ = σ₂

F₁/A₁ = F₂/A₂

F₂ = F₁ A₂/A₁

where,

F₂ = Initial force that must be applied to narrow arm = ?

F₁ = Load on Wider Arm to be raised = 12000 N

A₁ = Area of wider arm = πr₁² = π(18 cm)² = 324π cm²

A₂ = Area of narrow arm = πr₂² = π(5 cm)² = 25π cm²

Therefore,

F₂ = (12000 N)(25π cm²)/(324π cm²)

F₂ = 925.92 N