I. The car is travelling at constant speed. This graph shows the dependence of distance on time. Study this graph and describe it. Can you calculate the speed of the car in kph?

 

A student is experimenting with the remote control at the moment. He is putting a piece of white card about 2 cm in front of the control. The control is still operating because the beam is reflecting off the card and then the wall behind.

Now the student is using a piece of black card instead of the white card. This time the signal is not reaching the receiver (приймач, ресивер) . Why?

Answer: the black surface absorbs (поглинає) the infrared rays (інфрачервоні промені) and does not reflect it back into the room.

 

Further reading

I . Learn the following words and word-combinations to comprehend the text.

chassis	combine
frame	absorb
axle	brace
steering mechanism	apply
brake	flexible
suspension	achieve
mount	characteristics
acceleration	noise-isolation
force	gauge
accident	trend

 

II . Read and translate the text.

CHASSIS

The chassis of the modern automobile is the main structure of the vehicle. In most designs a pressed steel frame forms a skeleton on which the engine, wheels, axle assemblies, transmission, steering mechanism, brakes, and suspension members are mounted. The body is flexibly bolted to the chassis during the manufacturing process. The combination of body and frame absorbs the reactions from the movement of the engine and axle, receives the reaction forces of the wheels in acceleration and braking, absorbing aerodynamic wind forces and road shocks through the suspension, and absorbs the major energy of impact in the event of an accident.

In modern small car designs there has been a trend toward combining the chassis frame and the body into a single structural element. In this arrangement the steel body shell is reinforced with braces that makes it rigid enough to resist the forces that are applied to it. Separate frames are used for other cars to achieve better noise isolation characteristics. The presence of heavier gauge steel components in modern separate frame designs also tends to limit intrusion in accidents.

 

III . Are the following statements true or false? Explain your answers.

1. The chassis of the main modern automobile is the accessory structure of the vehicle.

2. The body is rigidly bolted to the chassis.

3. All working parts of the vehicle are mounted on the chassis.

4. To achieve a better-noise-isolation characteristics separate frames are used.

 

IV. Answer the following questions.

1. Why is chassis an important part of a vehicle?

2. What is its arrangement?

3. What tendency has been observed in modern small car designs?

4. What additional parts are used to improve vehicle’s characteristics?

V. Retell the text.

10.