Physics

Pascal's principle tells us that pressure applied to a confined fluid spreads equally everywhere—so the pressure you create on the small piston must equal the pressure under the car. The key insight is that while pressure is the same, the areas are different, and that's where the mechanical advantage comes in. Calculate the area ratio between the two pistons, then use $P_{\text{small}} = P_{\text{large}}$ to find what force you need on the small side to support the large weight on the other.

Pascal's principle tells us that pressure applied to a confined fluid spreads equally everywhere—so the pressure you create on the small piston must equal the pressure under the car. The key insight is that while pressure is the same, the areas are different, and that's where the mechanical advantage comes in. Calculate the area ratio between the two pistons, then use $P_{\text{small}} = P_{\text{large}}$ to find what force you need on the small side to support the large weight on the other.