Pascals Law

Overview

Pascal's Law states,

Theorem Proof

Consider a very small right angled triangular element ABC of a liquid as shown in figure.

Let:

• = Intensity of horizontal pressure on the element of the liquid
• = Intensity of vertical pressure on the element of the liquid
• = Intensity of pressure on the diagonal of the triangular element of the liquid
• = Angle of the triangular element of the liquid

Now total pressure on the vertical side AC of the liquid,

Similarly,total pressure on the horizontal side BC of the liquid,

and total pressure on the diagonal side AB of the liquid,

Since the element of the liquid is at rest, therefore sum of the horizontal and vertical components of the liquid pressure must be equal to zero.

Now using eqilibrium condition for horizontal pressure,

From the geometry of the figure, we find that,

Now using equilibrium condition for vertical pressure, i.e., (where W = Weight of the liquid)

As the triangular element is very small, the weight of the liquid W is neglected, so,

From the geometry of the figure, we find that

Now from equation (4) and (5), we find that

Thus the intensity of pressure at any point in a fluid, at rest, is the same in all direction.