Question

Explain the working of a hydraulic brake with a simple labelled diagram.

Answer 1

The hydraulic braking system is based on the principle of equation of continuity. Master cylinder is filled with fluid and has a piston having a small area of cross section. The slave cylinders are filled withe the same fluid and they have a piston of larger area of cross section. When brake peddle is pressed, the fluid in the master cylinder applies pressure on the pistons of the slave cylinders and the fluid in the slave cylinder applies more pressure than what is applied at the brake peddle. This helps the friction pads to act and stop the wheel.A small force P1/A1 can can produce a large force p1(A2/A1)