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How can a fluid transmit braking force?

A hydraulic system connects pistons through a confined fluid. A pressure change is transmitted through that fluid, and the force at a piston depends on its area. That helps explain how hydraulic brakes transfer a driver’s input, although real brakes include more components than this simple model.

4–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • Why can two pistons experience the same pressure but different forces?

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Engineering and inventions

How GPS finds you, and fixes its clock

Your phone can work out where it is by listening to signals from far above Earth. But turning a signal's travel time into a distance also creates a clock problem: the receiver must account for its own timing error.

12–15 min

How GPS finds you, and fixes its clock

Engineering and inventions12–15 minYour phone can work out where it is by listening to signals from far above Earth. But turning a signal's travel time into a distance also creates a clock problem: the receiver must account for its own timing error.

Engineering and inventions

Across an ocean inside a fiber-optic cable

A message crossing an ocean can travel through glass fibers lying on the seabed. The light inside, the layers around it, and the equipment along the route each solve a different problem.

8–10 min

Across an ocean inside a fiber-optic cable

Engineering and inventions8–10 minA message crossing an ocean can travel through glass fibers lying on the seabed. The light inside, the layers around it, and the equipment along the route each solve a different problem.

Engineering and inventions

Why does one pedal turn take you different distances?

Changing bicycle gears changes the relationship between your pedals and the rear wheel. The teeth on the chainring and sprocket help explain why the same turn of the pedals can produce a different distance along the road.

3–5 min

Why does one pedal turn take you different distances?

Engineering and inventions3–5 minChanging bicycle gears changes the relationship between your pedals and the rear wheel. The teeth on the chainring and sprocket help explain why the same turn of the pedals can produce a different distance along the road.

How can a fluid transmit braking force? | Speech Topic | speaking.app