Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
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INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 8
Grade code: 3.1.2.LI.6
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.1.2.LI.6
Theme: AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
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In Ghana, our comfort while travelling and our safety on the roads are two of the most important aspects of using a vehicle. The hot and humid climate makes a car's air conditioning (AC) system more of a necessity than a luxury. At the same time, road accidents remain a major concern for our communities. This lesson will therefore cover two critical topics: how a vehicle's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system keeps us cool, and the principles of safe motoring that keep us alive. By understanding these systems and principles, you will become a more knowledgeable vehicle user, a future responsible driver, and potentially a skilled technician.
This lesson is divided into two main parts as per our indicator: The HVAC system and Safe Motoring. PART A: The Automotive HVAC System
What is HVAC? HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It is the system responsible for controlling the temperature and air quality inside a vehicle's cabin. Heating: Uses heat from the engine's coolant to warm the cabin. This is less frequently used in most parts of Ghana but is important in colder areas like the Akwapim ridge during harmattan. Ventilation: The system that brings fresh outside air into the cabin and circulates it. This is controlled by the blower fan. Air Conditioning (AC): The system that actively cools and dehumidifies the cabin air. This is our main focus.
The Principle of Air Conditioning The core principle is simple: the system moves heat from inside the car to the outside. It does this by using a special fluid called a refrigerant, which can easily change between a liquid and a gas. The process of changing from a liquid to a gas (evaporation) absorbs a huge amount of heat.
The Five Major Components and the Refrigeration Cycle The AC system works in a continuous loop. Let's trace the journey of the refrigerant through the five key components.