WHAT FORCE DOES EACH WHEEL CYLINDER EXERT ON ITS BRALE PAD

Question

IN A CARS LIQUID FILLED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS AN AREAA OF 0.5CM2, AND THE WHEEL CYLINDERS EACH HAVE AN AREA OF 3.0CM2.  IF A FORCE OS 150N IS APPLIED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BY THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHAT FORCE DOES EACH WHEEL CYLINDER EXERT ON ITS BRAKE PAD?

Answer 1

In a hydraulic system like the brakes in a car, the pressure applied by the master cylinder exerts an equal pressure on the brake pads. Pressure is force divided by area

P = F / A

 

The total pressure applied by the master cylinder (A = 0.5cm²) is

P = 150N / 0.5 cm²

P = 300 N/cm²

 

Each brake pad (A = 3.0 cm²) feels the same pressure

300 N/cm² = F / 3.0 cm²

F = (300 N/cm²)(3.0 cm²)

F = 900 N