formula components / vocab

Brake pedal

What the driver pushes when they want to decelerate.

This component is directly connected to the push rod

Push rod

Transmits the force from the brake pedal to the master cylinder by pushing a piston and forcing brake fluid through the pipes

Pressure is increased throughout the entire braking system due to the push rod’s action

Servo

Boost’s the brake’s effectiveness by creating a pressure differential that will amplify the force applied by the driver

(In case they ask more about the function of this component)

When you push the brake, a rod gets pushed in and allows atmospheric air to enter the servo. This counteracts the vacuum being created by the intake stroke of the car’s engine

Master cylinder

Converts non-hydraulic pressure from the driver' into hydraulic pressure by compressing brake fluid

Reservoir

Contains brake fluid

Brake fluid’s action against the caliper

After being pressurized, the hydraulic lines carry brake fluid to the brakes. These apply pressure to the calipers, which press against the rotors to slow the rotation of the wheel.

Pascal’s law

When force is applied to liquid confined in a container, the pressure is transmitted equally in all directions. This is relevant to braking because when the driver transfers pressure, the hydraulic fluid is compressed (VIA THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON) and dispersed throughout the whole system with equal pressure