Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Hydraulic fluid is a liquid used in hydraulics, a branch of science concerned with the practical applications of fluids in motion. This fluid is crucial for transmitting power in hydraulic systems.

Pascal's principle is fundamental to hydraulics. It states that a pressure change in one part of a fluid in a closed container is transmitted equally to every portion of the fluid and to the walls of the container. This means that if you apply a small force to a small piston in a hydraulic system, the pressure is transmitted, and a larger force can be generated on a larger piston. This principle is the basis for devices like the hydraulic press and hydraulic brakes.12

Hydraulic power systems use pressurized fluid to perform work, offering flexibility and efficient force multiplication. These systems are widely used in vehicles, industrial machinery, and aircraft.32

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.