ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Experiment: To show how a hydraulic Machine increases force
Aim: To show how a hydraulic machine increases force
Materials: small syringe, syringe with larger diameter, plastic tube, water, ruler
Method
- Half fill the large syringe with water by placing the end in water and pulling the plunger upwards
- Attache the tube to the smaller syringe and fill the tube and small syringe with water
- Push the plunger on the smaller syringe so that half the water in the syringe is pushed through the tube
- Attache the other end of the tube to the larger syringe
- Hold the syringes as shown in the diagram above
- Push and pull the plunger on each syringe in turn
- Measure the distance moved by each plunger when a force is applied
Observation and Results
- The smaller syringe is easier to move
- The smaller plunger moves the greatest distance
- The smaller syringe has might move 5 cm in order to raise the larger syringe’s plunger 1 cm
Conclusion
- Hydraulic machines make work easier by exploiting the principles of liquids
- Such as:
- That they cannot be easily compressed
- That they can pass on pressure applied to them equally and in all directions
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