Question

A linear actuator such as you used in lab has a rod of area of 10-4 m2 and a piston area of
3*10-4 m2
. The actuator can have fluid applied to either the piston end of the cylinder or the
open end where the rod comes out so the rod can both extend and retract out of the cylinder.
A student establishes equilibrium between the hydraulic force and an external weight so there is
no movement of the weight.

a) When pressure is applied to the piston end of the cylinder a force of 100 N results. What is the
applied pressure?
b) The same pressure as in part a is now applied to the rod end of the cylinder.
1) What is the area that the pressure acts on?
2) What is the force in this case?
c) Explain why are the two forces are the same or different.

Answer 1