If equal pressures act on both the rod and cap side of a piston, which side receives the most force?

When equal pressures are applied to both the rod side and the cap side of a piston, the force exerted on each side of the piston is determined by the formula: Force = Pressure × Area. The area of the rod side and the cap side may differ depending on the design of the piston.

In many piston designs, the cap side typically has a larger surface area compared to the rod side. This means that even with equal pressures acting on both sides, the total force on the cap side will be greater because it is calculated by multiplying the same pressure by a larger area.

As a result, the cap side receives the most force when equal pressures are applied. This is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics and is crucial for understanding how pistons work in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The larger area on the cap side allows it to withstand more force compared to the rod side, where the area is smaller.