Brake fluid and school science 6

This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about brake fluid was developed in association with Shell Chemicals UK Ltd. At the time the company employed about 500 people at its Carrington plant.

The booklet contained guidance for teachers and notes for students. It included activities suitable for students aged 12 to 14.

Teachers’ Guide
1. Industrial background
2. Educational scope
3. Notes on experiments
*Section A: Preparation of brake fluids
*Section B: Transfer of heat
*Section C: Purification of water
*Section D: Tests on a brake fluid
4. Appendix: Relationships to topics in lower school science

Students’ Notes
Introduction 5
Section A: Preparation of brake fluids
*Experiment A(i): Preparation of an ester
Section B: Transfer of heat
*Experiment B(i): Effect of rate of flow of the cooling liquid
*Experiment B(ii): Effect of surface area between liquids
*Experiment B(iii): Effect of temperature difference between liquids
*Experiment B(iv): Effect of different surfaces between liquids
*Summary of heat exchangers
Section C: Purification of water
*Experiment C(i): Using a cation-exchange resin
*Experiment C(ii): Using an anion-exchange resin
*Experiment C(iii): Using a mixed-bed ion-exchange resin
Section D: Tests on brake fluid
*Experiment D(i): Finding the boiling points
*Experiment D(ii): Tolerance to water mixing
*Experiment D(iii): Viscosity
*Experiment D(iv): Effect on rubber and plastic caps
*Experiment D(v): Effect on metals
*Experiment D(vi): Compatibility with other brake fluids
*Experiment D(vii): Loss of fluid by evaporation
*Using the results
Additional investigations

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Subject(s)Science
Author(s)James Dawber
Age14-16
Published1986
Published by

Shelf referenceA 507.12 ASS
ISN/ISBN0863570240
Direct URLhttps://www.stem.org.uk/x8b9d

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