Which component is responsible for converting linear movement into hydraulic pressure in the brake system?

The master cylinder is the component responsible for converting linear movement into hydraulic pressure in the brake system. When a driver presses the brake pedal, the pedal's movement pushes a piston in the master cylinder. This action compresses brake fluid in the cylinder, generating hydraulic pressure.

This hydraulic pressure is then transmitted through the brake lines to the calipers or wheel cylinders, which in turn apply force to the brake pads or shoes, ultimately enabling the vehicle to slow down or stop. The effectiveness of this process is crucial to vehicle braking performance, as proper hydraulic pressure ensures that the brakes engage effectively and responsively.

The brake booster amplifies the driver's effort to press the brake pedal, enhancing the force applied to the master cylinder, but it does not directly convert movement into hydraulic pressure. Brake lines are responsible for transporting brake fluid between the master cylinder and the brake components but do not play a role in generating pressure. Calipers are the components that act on the brake pads or shoes but also do not create the hydraulic pressure themselves; they rely on the pressure supplied by the master cylinder.