Shock Absorber

vehicles · engineering · physics

Makes bumpy rides smooth. When your car hits a pothole, the shock absorber catches that energy and stops it from bouncing you up and down inside the car. It's like a sponge for impacts.

Turns motion into heat. Shock absorbers work by converting the kinetic energy (energy from movement) into heat energy that gets released into special fluid inside them. This sneaky energy switch is what makes the bouncing stop.

Uses special fluid. Most shock absorbers are filled with hydraulic fluid or oil that gets forced through tiny holes when the shock gets compressed. The resistance from squeezing through these holes slows down the bouncing motion.

Found everywhere with wheels. Shock absorbers aren't just in cars. Motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, and even airplanes use them to keep things smooth and safe during rough movements.

Related to a dashpot. Shock absorbers are a type of dashpot, which is any device that slows down motion by converting energy. You can find dashpots in door closers and other everyday gadgets.