Hydraulic Applications Quiz: Hydraulics in Action

1. In a closed hydraulic system, the pressure at the small piston is exactly the same as the pressure at the large piston.

True

False

This is Pascal's Principle: pressure is distributed equally. The force changes because the area of the pistons is different.

Explanation

This is Pascal's Principle: pressure is distributed equally. The force changes because the area of the pistons is different.

2. Why are hydraulics used in airplanes for landing gear and wing flaps? (Select all that apply)

They are very reliable

They can move heavy parts with precision

They make the plane lighter

They work even at high altitudes

Hydraulics provide the immense force needed to move flaps against high-speed wind and are very dependable in various environments.

Explanation

Hydraulics provide the immense force needed to move flaps against high-speed wind and are very dependable in various environments.

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3. A device that converts fluid power into mechanical motion (like the arm of a backhoe) is called an ________.

Actuators are the "muscles" of the hydraulic system that do the actual work of moving a load.

Explanation

Actuators are the "muscles" of the hydraulic system that do the actual work of moving a load.

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4. Which of these is a "closed" hydraulic system?

A garden hose spraying water

A decorative fountain

A medical syringe with a capped end

A water slide

A closed system means the fluid is trapped and cannot escape, which is required for pressure to build up and do work.

Explanation

A closed system means the fluid is trapped and cannot escape, which is required for pressure to build up and do work.

5. According to NGSS MS-PS2-2, an excavator moving dirt is an example of a system where multiple forces interact to change an object's motion.

True

False

The hydraulic cylinders apply a balanced or unbalanced force to the shovel, which changes the motion and position of the dirt.

Explanation

The hydraulic cylinders apply a balanced or unbalanced force to the shovel, which changes the motion and position of the dirt.

6. If the output piston has 10 times the area of the input piston, how much will the force be multiplied?

2 times

10 times

100 times

It will stay the same

Force is multiplied by the same ratio as the area. If the area is 10x larger, the output force is 10x greater.

Explanation

Force is multiplied by the same ratio as the area. If the area is 10x larger, the output force is 10x greater.

7. The "output" part of the hydraulic system where the work is performed is the ________ piston.

While the small piston receives the input, the large piston provides the amplified force needed to lift or move the load.

Explanation

While the small piston receives the input, the large piston provides the amplified force needed to lift or move the load.

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8. What is the scientific principle behind a hydraulic applications quiz that states pressure applied to a fluid is transmitted equally in all directions?

Newton's First Law

Pascal's Principle

Bernoulli's Principle

The Law of Gravity

Pascal's Principle is the foundation of hydraulics; it explains how pressure in a confined fluid stays consistent throughout the system.

Explanation

Pascal's Principle is the foundation of hydraulics; it explains how pressure in a confined fluid stays consistent throughout the system.

9. In hydraulics in real life test scenarios, liquids are used because they are easy to compress into a smaller volume.

True

False

False. Hydraulics work because liquids are "incompressible," meaning they don't squash. This allows them to transmit force efficiently.

Explanation

False. Hydraulics work because liquids are "incompressible," meaning they don't squash. This allows them to transmit force efficiently.

10. A hydraulic system uses a trapped ________ to transmit force from one point to another.

Most hydraulic systems use oil or water because fluids transmit pressure equally throughout a closed container.

Explanation

Most hydraulic systems use oil or water because fluids transmit pressure equally throughout a closed container.

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11. Which part of a hydraulic machine is the "input" where a person or motor applies the initial force?

Large Piston

Small Piston

Reservoir

Pressure Gauge

By applying force to a smaller area (small piston), the system can multiply that force at the larger output piston.

Explanation

By applying force to a smaller area (small piston), the system can multiply that force at the larger output piston.

12. Which of the following are common fluid power examples quiz items found in everyday life? (Select all that apply)

Car brakes

Excavator arms

Office chairs (height adjustment)

Toasters

Brakes, construction equipment, and adjustable chairs use fluid pressure. Toasters use electrical heat and springs, not hydraulics.

Explanation

Brakes, construction equipment, and adjustable chairs use fluid pressure. Toasters use electrical heat and springs, not hydraulics.

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13. A hydraulic jack allows a human to lift a heavy car because the system multiplies the input force.

True

False

Through the difference in piston sizes, a small force over a long distance is converted into a large force over a short distance.

Explanation

Through the difference in piston sizes, a small force over a long distance is converted into a large force over a short distance.

14. In a hydraulic machines quiz, the fluid most commonly used in heavy machinery like tractors is ________.

Specialized hydraulic oil is used because it lubricates the parts while transmitting power and doesn't evaporate easily.

Explanation

Specialized hydraulic oil is used because it lubricates the parts while transmitting power and doesn't evaporate easily.

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15. If you push down a small piston 10 centimeters, why does the large piston only move up 1 centimeter?

The fluid is leaking

Energy is being lost

You must trade distance for more force

The fluid is compressed

Hydraulics follow the law of conservation of energy; you get more force out, but you have to move the input side a greater distance.

Explanation

Hydraulics follow the law of conservation of energy; you get more force out, but you have to move the input side a greater distance.

16. In practical hydraulics questions, what are the two main components of a basic hydraulic system? (Select all that apply)

A confined fluid

An open-air fan

Two or more pistons

A heating element

A basic system requires a trapped fluid (like oil) and pistons of different sizes to transmit and multiply force.

Explanation

A basic system requires a trapped fluid (like oil) and pistons of different sizes to transmit and multiply force.

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17. Hydraulics assessment data shows that air (pneumatics) is stronger and more precise for lifting heavy bridge sections than liquid (hydraulics).

True

False

False. Because air is compressible (squishy), it isn't as powerful or stable as liquid hydraulics for heavy lifting.

Explanation

False. Because air is compressible (squishy), it isn't as powerful or stable as liquid hydraulics for heavy lifting.

18. How do hydraulic brakes stop a fast-moving car?

They use magnets to pull the wheels

Fluid transmits the foot's pressure to the brake pads

They blow air against the tires

They use a parachute

When you step on the pedal, fluid is pushed through lines to the wheels, where it forces the brake pads against the discs.

Explanation

When you step on the pedal, fluid is pushed through lines to the wheels, where it forces the brake pads against the discs.

19. The amount of force applied over a specific area is called ________.

Pressure = Force / Area. This calculation is the key to understanding how hydraulic force multiplication works.

Explanation

Pressure = Force / Area. This calculation is the key to understanding how hydraulic force multiplication works.

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20. What would happen in a hydraulic applications quiz experiment if there was a bubble of air trapped in the brake lines?

The brakes would work better

The brakes would feel "spongy" and fail

The car would go faster

The fluid would turn into a solid

Air compresses, so the pressure would be used up "squashing" the bubble instead of moving the brake pads.

Explanation

Air compresses, so the pressure would be used up "squashing" the bubble instead of moving the brake pads.

Heavy Lifting: The Hydraulic Applications Quiz

1. In a closed hydraulic system, the pressure at the small piston is exactly the same as the pressure at the large piston.

2. Why are hydraulics used in airplanes for landing gear and wing flaps? (Select all that apply)

3. A device that converts fluid power into mechanical motion (like the arm of a backhoe) is called an ________.

4. Which of these is a "closed" hydraulic system?

5. According to NGSS MS-PS2-2, an excavator moving dirt is an example of a system where multiple forces interact to change an object's motion.

6. If the output piston has 10 times the area of the input piston, how much will the force be multiplied?

7. The "output" part of the hydraulic system where the work is performed is the ________ piston.

8. What is the scientific principle behind a hydraulic applications quiz that states pressure applied to a fluid is transmitted equally in all directions?

9. In hydraulics in real life test scenarios, liquids are used because they are easy to compress into a smaller volume.

10. A hydraulic system uses a trapped ________ to transmit force from one point to another.

11. Which part of a hydraulic machine is the "input" where a person or motor applies the initial force?

12. Which of the following are common fluid power examples quiz items found in everyday life? (Select all that apply)

13. A hydraulic jack allows a human to lift a heavy car because the system multiplies the input force.

14. In a hydraulic machines quiz, the fluid most commonly used in heavy machinery like tractors is ________.

15. If you push down a small piston 10 centimeters, why does the large piston only move up 1 centimeter?

16. In practical hydraulics questions, what are the two main components of a basic hydraulic system? (Select all that apply)

17. Hydraulics assessment data shows that air (pneumatics) is stronger and more precise for lifting heavy bridge sections than liquid (hydraulics).

18. How do hydraulic brakes stop a fast-moving car?

19. The amount of force applied over a specific area is called ________.

20. What would happen in a hydraulic applications quiz experiment if there was a bubble of air trapped in the brake lines?