Did you know there is a fundamental principle applied to all hydraulic systems in operation today?  This principle is known as Pascal's Law.  Blaise Pascal was a 17th century French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher.  He is responsible for the discovery and development of the fundamental law.  Pascal’s law states that when force or pressure is applied to any part of a confined, incompressible fluid, the change in pressure is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions throughout the fluid, and perpendicular to the walls or surfaces of the container.  The larger the applied force, the greater the pressure that is observed within the fluid.  This is represented by the equation Force = Pressure • Area

For more information on Pascal's Law, check out Outcome 2.1.1 of the SA study manual, the Fluid Power Fundamentals Training Course or Chapter 3 of the upcoming Fluid Power Fundamental's Textbook (Link to be added).  Also, look out for next week's blog for some related information on the equation Force = Pressure • Area