What is the total force exerted on a piston with a 6-inch diameter and pressure of 130 psi?

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

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

First, calculate the area of the piston, which is circular. The area (A) can be calculated using the formula for the area of a circle:

[ A = \pi r^2 ]

Where ( r ) is the radius of the circle. Given that the diameter of the piston is 6 inches, the radius is half of that:

[ r = \frac{6}{2} = 3 \text{ inches} ]

Now, plug the radius into the area formula:

[ A = \pi (3)^2 = \pi (9) \approx 28.27 \text{ square inches} ]

Next, convert the pressure from psi to the appropriate units. The pressure is given as 130 psi, which means 130 pounds per square inch. The total force can then be calculated as follows:

[ \text{Force} = 130 \text{ psi} \times 28.27 \text{ in}^2 ]