What is the relationship between pressure, force, and area in a cylinder?

What is the relationship between pressure, force, and area in a cylinder?

• A. Pressure equals force times area
• B. Area equals force divided by pressure
• C. Force equals pressure times piston area (F = P × A)
• D. Force equals pressure divided by area

Answer: (C)

In a cylinder, pressure is the push per unit area, so the total force on the piston is found by multiplying the pressure by the piston’s cross-sectional area. This gives the direct relationship F = P × A. It’s the simplest way to relate all three quantities: knowing pressure and area lets you find the force, and knowing any two lets you find the third (P = F / A or A = F / P). For example, with a pressure of 200 kPa and a piston area of 0.01 m^2, the force is 200,000 Pa × 0.01 m^2 = 2,000 N. If you increase area or pressure, the force increases proportionally.

In a cylinder, pressure is the push per unit area, so the total force on the piston is found by multiplying the pressure by the piston’s cross-sectional area. This gives the direct relationship F = P × A. It’s the simplest way to relate all three quantities: knowing pressure and area lets you find the force, and knowing any two lets you find the third (P = F / A or A = F / P). For example, with a pressure of 200 kPa and a piston area of 0.01 m^2, the force is 200,000 Pa × 0.01 m^2 = 2,000 N. If you increase area or pressure, the force increases proportionally.