A service station employs a simple hydraulic lift to raise cars for under-body inspection. The lift consists of two rigidly connected pistons and an incompressible oil that completely fills the closed system.
(i) State Pascal’s principle for fluids at rest.
(ii) With the help of a neatly labelled sketch of the lift, explain how a comparatively small force applied on the narrow piston is able to raise the heavy car placed on the broad platform.
(iii) Even though a small force lifts a large load, the system does not violate the law of conservation of energy. Explain, referring to the relative displacements of the two pistons.