What does Pascal's Law state in the context of hydraulics?

Pascal's Law asserts that when pressure is exerted on a confined fluid, that pressure change is transmitted uniformly in all directions throughout the fluid. This concept is foundational in hydraulics, as it explains how hydraulic systems operate. For instance, if pressure is applied at one point in a hydraulic system, every part of the fluid experiences the same pressure increase, allowing for movement or force to be exerted at a different location within the system.

This principle is crucial in understanding how devices like hydraulic presses or lifts work efficiently, as they rely on this uniform transmission of pressure to amplify force or enable the movement of heavy loads. The clarity of this law also highlights the behavior of incompressible fluids, emphasizing that the fluid's volume does not change under pressure, which is a key assumption in hydraulic applications.

In contrast, the other statements touch on different principles of fluid mechanics or thermodynamics. The notion that fluid velocity increases with higher pressure refers to Bernoulli's principle, which is distinct from Pascal's Law. The statement regarding liquid flow due to gravity relates to hydrostatics and potential energy rather than pressure transmission. Lastly, the gas law about pressure and volume pertains to ideal gases and is governed by Boyle's Law, not Pascal's Law. Thus