Pascal’s law states that pressure exerted by the molecules at each and every point in an incompressible fluid is same. In other words, the intensity of pressure will be equal in all directions for static fluids.
Let us consider a fluid element at point P as shown in Fig. 2.1
The pressure on the surface ABOE be Px
The pressure on the surface BCDO be Py
The pressure on the surface ACDE be PѲ
And,
AB = dy
BC = dx
AE = dz
AC = ds
If the force on the surface ABOE be Px dydz
The force on the surface BCDO be Py dxdz
The force on the surface ACDE be PѲ dzds
According to Pascal’s law, fluid element is in stable equilibrium. So, we get-
x = 0
Px dydz – PѲ dzds cos = 0
Or,
Px dydz – PѲ dydz = 0 (ds cos = dy)
Px = PѲ
Now,
y = 0
Py dxdz – PѲ dzds sin = 0
Or,
Py dxdz – PѲ dxdz = 0 (ds sin = dx)
Py = PѲ
Hence, we can write it as-
Px = Py = PѲ
Or,
It shows that pressure is independent of angle of applied forces. It suggests that pressure is equal in all directions as shown in Fig. 2.2.
In other words, it is cleared that the pressure exerted by the molecules is transmitted to all the points within the fluid when it is at rest. This shows the principle of Pascal’s law and it was established by the French Mathematician, Blaise Pascal.
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- Introduction about air standard cycles
- Properties of pure substances introduction
- Vapour compression refrigeration cycle introduction
- Basic fluid mechanics and properties of fluids introduction
- Fluid statics introduction
- Fluid pressure at a point
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