Basic Engineering Common Core (BECC) Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

In a hydraulic system, mechanical advantage is achieved through the use of incompressible fluid. Hydraulic systems operate on the principle of Pascal's law, which states that when pressure is applied to a confined fluid, the pressure change occurs throughout the fluid in all directions. This means that a small force applied at one point can be transmitted through the fluid to exert a larger force at another point, effectively multiplying the input force.

The incompressible nature of the fluid allows for efficient transmission of force, as the fluid does not change volume under pressure, ensuring that the force applied at one end of the system is completely transferred to the other end. This characteristic is fundamental for hydraulic systems to lift heavy loads or exert significant pressure with relatively small input effort.

In contrast, using compressible gases would not allow for the same level of efficiency or force transmission due to the ability of gases to compress and expand, which can lead to losses in control and effectiveness. Lever and pulley systems rely on mechanical advantage through distance and angles but do not utilize the unique properties of fluids. Additionally, while reducing friction can improve efficiency in any mechanical system, it is not the primary means by which hydraulic systems achieve mechanical advantage.