A Simple Physics Problem: Calculating Force Needed to Lift a Piston

How can we calculate the force needed to lift a piston with specified areas?

A mass of 250 N is on a piston of 2.0 m^2. What force is needed to lift this piston if the area of the second piston is 0.5 m^2?

Answer:

The force needed to lift the piston with an area of 0.5 m^2 is 62.5 N.

When faced with a physics problem involving pistons and different areas, one must consider the principle of pressure being equal at both ends of the pistons. In this scenario, the formula to calculate the force needed is based on the equation:

Pressure = Force / Area

By applying this formula to the given data:

Force₁ / Area₁ = Force₂ / Area₂

We are given:

Force₁ = 250 N
Area₁ = 2.0 m²
Area₂ = 0.5 m²
Force₂ = ?

Substitute the values into the formula and solve:

250 / 2 = Force₂ / 0.5

Cross multiply to find the force needed:

250 * 0.5 = 2 * Force₂

125 = 2 * Force₂

Force₂ = 125 / 2 = 62.5 N

Therefore, the force needed to lift the piston with an area of 0.5 m^2 is 62.5 N.