Brakes (Undercar Systems) Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is based on the work of Blaise Pascal, who is well-known for his contributions to fluid mechanics and pressure concepts. Pascal's principle, which states that in a confined fluid at rest, a change in pressure applied to any part of the fluid transmits the change uniformly throughout the fluid, is foundational to understanding hydraulic systems. This principle explains how hydraulic brakes operate by allowing force applied at the brake pedal to be transmitted through brake fluid to apply pressure on the brake pads.

Pascal's discoveries highlight how pressure works within liquids, making them critical for various applications, including hydraulics in automotive braking systems. This principle underpins the efficiency of hydraulic systems, making it possible to amplify force and control movement.

While Isaac Newton is known for his laws of motion and gravity, and Galileo Galilei made significant contributions to the scientific method and dynamics, their work did not focus specifically on the principles of hydraulics. Nikola Tesla is known primarily for his work in electromagnetism and electrical engineering, which is also not directly related to hydraulic principles.