What is the force exerted on a piston if the fluid pressure in a 1/2-inch line is 800 PSI with a piston area of 10 square inches?

To determine the force exerted on the piston, you can use the formula that relates pressure, area, and force. The formula is:

[ \text{Force} = \text{Pressure} \times \text{Area} ]

In this case, the pressure is given as 800 PSI (pounds per square inch), and the area of the piston is 10 square inches.

When you apply the numbers to the formula:

[ \text{Force} = 800 , \text{PSI} \times 10 , \text{square inches} ]

Calculating this:

[ \text{Force} = 8000 , \text{pounds} ]

This result indicates that the force exerted on the piston is 8,000 pounds. This understanding of how pressure and area interact is fundamental in fluid dynamics and hydraulic systems, which rely on these principles to operate machinery and processes effectively. Thus, the force exerted on the piston is indeed 8,000 pounds.