In a hydraulic system operating at 3000 psi, the force produced by a piston actuator with a 25 cm by 25 cm face is approximately:

• A. 150,000 lbs
• B. 300,000 lbs
• C. 450,000 lbs
• D. 600,000 lbs

Answer: (B)

In hydraulics, the force a piston can exert is found by multiplying the system pressure by the piston area. Here, the pressure is 3000 psi. The piston face is 25 cm by 25 cm, so the area is 25 cm × 25 cm = 625 cm². Convert to square inches: 1 in² ≈ 6.4516 cm², so 625 cm² ≈ 625 / 6.4516 ≈ 96.8 in².

Now multiply: 3000 psi × 96.8 in² ≈ 290,400 lbf. This is about 290,000 pounds-force, which rounds to roughly 300,000 lbf. So the approximate force is around 300,000 lbs.