Hydraulics

Transmitting forces through liquids.

Consider the problem faced by Stephen. He has two syringes connected by a tube containing water. He is to use this set up to try and lift a very heavy brick off the ground

 

 

 

Stephen thinks he is best to push on the large syringe while placing the smaller syringe under the brick, as shown on the left. He finds this set up is useless and gives up. He decides to place the big syringe under the brick and push on the smaller syringe. He finds this works well, but why?

Click to see a 60Kb movie of this.

 

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