Hydraulic Mechanical Advantage Quiz: The Physics of Lift

1. In a hydraulic mechanical advantage quiz, what is the primary "trade-off" when you multiply force?

You lose energy

You must move the input piston a greater distance

The fluid gets hotter

The pressure decreases

According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, if force is multiplied, the distance over which that force is applied must increase proportionally (Work = Force x Distance).

Explanation

According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, if force is multiplied, the distance over which that force is applied must increase proportionally (Work = Force x Distance).

2. A mechanical advantage test shows that if the output piston is 5 times larger than the input piston, the output force is 5 times greater.

True

False

The Mechanical Advantage (MA) of a hydraulic system is equal to the ratio of the area of the output piston to the area of the input piston.

Explanation

The Mechanical Advantage (MA) of a hydraulic system is equal to the ratio of the area of the output piston to the area of the input piston.

3. The formula for Mechanical Advantage in a hydraulic system is Output Area divided by ________ Area.

MA = Aout/Ain. This ratio determines how much the system amplifies the user's effort.

Explanation

MA = Aout/Ain. This ratio determines how much the system amplifies the user's effort.

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4. Which law explains why pressure remains constant throughout a closed hydraulic system?

Newton's Third Law

Pascal's Law

Ohm's Law

Boyle's Law

Pascal's Law states that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to every portion of the fluid and the walls of the container.

Explanation

Pascal's Law states that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to every portion of the fluid and the walls of the container.

5. Which of the following would increase the mechanical advantage of a hydraulic lift? (Select all that apply)

Increasing the size of the output piston

Decreasing the size of the input piston

Using a thicker oil

Adding more fluid to the reservoir

To increase MA, you increase the ratio between the pistons by making the output larger or the input smaller.

Explanation

To increase MA, you increase the ratio between the pistons by making the output larger or the input smaller.

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6. In a physics hydraulics assessment, "Pressure" is defined as Force divided by Area (P = F/A).

True

False

Pressure is the distribution of force over a surface. Because P is constant in hydraulics, F1/A1 = F2/A2.

Explanation

Pressure is the distribution of force over a surface. Because P is constant in hydraulics, F1/A1 = F2/A2.

7. If a system has a mechanical advantage of 10, applying 50 N of force will result in ________ N of output force.

Output Force = Input Force x MA. In this case, 50 N x 10 = 500 N.

Explanation

Output Force = Input Force x MA. In this case, 50 N x 10 = 500 N.

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8. In a hydraulics force multiplication quiz, what happens to the pressure if you double the force but also double the area?

It doubles

It quadruples

It stays the same

It is cut in half

Since P = F/A, if both F and A double, the ratio remains identical, meaning the pressure is unchanged.

Explanation

Since P = F/A, if both F and A double, the ratio remains identical, meaning the pressure is unchanged.

9. What are the requirements for a fluid pressure quiz experiment to accurately demonstrate Pascal's Law? (Select all that apply)

The fluid must be incompressible

The system must be closed

The fluid must be a gas

The pistons must be different sizes

Pascal's Law requires an enclosed, incompressible fluid. Piston sizes can be the same, but different sizes are needed to show mechanical advantage.

Explanation

Pascal's Law requires an enclosed, incompressible fluid. Piston sizes can be the same, but different sizes are needed to show mechanical advantage.

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10. A hydraulic system can create more energy than is put into it.

True

False

False. A machine can multiply force, but it cannot multiply energy. The work put in (F x d) always equals the work put out (minus friction).

Explanation

False. A machine can multiply force, but it cannot multiply energy. The work put in (F x d) always equals the work put out (minus friction).

11. If the input piston moves 20 cm down to move the output piston 2 cm up, what is the mechanical advantage?

2

10

20

40

MA can also be calculated by the ratio of distances: din/dout. Here, 20 / 2 = 10.

Explanation

MA can also be calculated by the ratio of distances: din/dout. Here, 20 / 2 = 10.

12. In pascal law applications, a ________ is used to move the fluid and create flow within the system.

While the pistons do the work, the pump provides the flow that allows the pressure to be directed to the actuators.

Explanation

While the pistons do the work, the pump provides the flow that allows the pressure to be directed to the actuators.

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13. Why do heavy construction machines use hydraulics instead of simple gears for massive lifting?

Hydraulics are lighter

Fluids provide smooth, immense force multiplication in small spaces

Gears don't work in the dirt

Hydraulics don't require energy

Hydraulics allow for very high power density and flexible placement of "muscles" (cylinders) compared to rigid mechanical linkages.

Explanation

Hydraulics allow for very high power density and flexible placement of "muscles" (cylinders) compared to rigid mechanical linkages.

14. The mechanical advantage is 1.0 if both the input and output pistons have the exact same diameter.

True

False

If the areas are equal, the force in equals the force out, providing no multiplication of force.

Explanation

If the areas are equal, the force in equals the force out, providing no multiplication of force.

15. Which of these units can be used to measure pressure in a physics hydraulics assessment? (Select all that apply)

Pascals (Pa)

Newtons (N)

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

Joules (J)

Pascals and PSI are units of pressure. Newtons measure force, and Joules measure energy or work.

Explanation

Pascals and PSI are units of pressure. Newtons measure force, and Joules measure energy or work.

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16. When the area of the output piston is much larger than the input, the system is designed for ________ multiplication.

This is the primary goal of most hydraulic systems: using a small effort to move a large load.

Explanation

This is the primary goal of most hydraulic systems: using a small effort to move a large load.

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17. If a hydraulic jack has an input area of 2 cm2 and an output area of 20 cm2, what is the force ratio?

1:2

1:10

1:20

1:5

The ratio 20/2 simplifies to 10, meaning every 1 N of input produces 10 N of output.

Explanation

The ratio 20/2 simplifies to 10, meaning every 1 N of input produces 10 N of output.

18. Friction between the fluid and the pipes can reduce the actual mechanical advantage of a system.

True

False

In the real world, "Efficiency" is considered. Friction turns some of the input work into heat, reducing the effective output.

Explanation

In the real world, "Efficiency" is considered. Friction turns some of the input work into heat, reducing the effective output.

19. In the context of MS-PS2-2, how do hydraulics demonstrate "change in motion"?

By absorbing all force

By applying an unbalanced force to a load through fluid pressure

By turning liquids into solids

By eliminating gravity

The pressure in the fluid applies an unbalanced force to the output piston, overcoming the weight of the load to change its motion.

Explanation

The pressure in the fluid applies an unbalanced force to the output piston, overcoming the weight of the load to change its motion.

20. The "output" force of a hydraulic cylinder is often called the ________.

The load is the external force or weight that the hydraulic system is intended to move or overcome.

Explanation

The load is the external force or weight that the hydraulic system is intended to move or overcome.

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Multiplication of Force: Hydraulic Mechanical Advantage Quiz

1. In a hydraulic mechanical advantage quiz, what is the primary "trade-off" when you multiply force?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. A mechanical advantage test shows that if the output piston is 5 times larger than the input piston, the output force is 5 times greater.

3. The formula for Mechanical Advantage in a hydraulic system is Output Area divided by ________ Area.

4. Which law explains why pressure remains constant throughout a closed hydraulic system?

5. Which of the following would increase the mechanical advantage of a hydraulic lift? (Select all that apply)

6. In a physics hydraulics assessment, "Pressure" is defined as Force divided by Area (P = F/A).

7. If a system has a mechanical advantage of 10, applying 50 N of force will result in ________ N of output force.

8. In a hydraulics force multiplication quiz, what happens to the pressure if you double the force but also double the area?

9. What are the requirements for a fluid pressure quiz experiment to accurately demonstrate Pascal's Law? (Select all that apply)

10. A hydraulic system can create more energy than is put into it.

11. If the input piston moves 20 cm down to move the output piston 2 cm up, what is the mechanical advantage?

12. In pascal law applications, a ________ is used to move the fluid and create flow within the system.

13. Why do heavy construction machines use hydraulics instead of simple gears for massive lifting?

14. The mechanical advantage is 1.0 if both the input and output pistons have the exact same diameter.

15. Which of these units can be used to measure pressure in a physics hydraulics assessment? (Select all that apply)

16. When the area of the output piston is much larger than the input, the system is designed for ________ multiplication.

17. If a hydraulic jack has an input area of 2 cm2 and an output area of 20 cm2, what is the force ratio?

18. Friction between the fluid and the pipes can reduce the actual mechanical advantage of a system.

19. In the context of MS-PS2-2, how do hydraulics demonstrate "change in motion"?

20. The "output" force of a hydraulic cylinder is often called the ________.