Final answer:
Windshield wipers must be maintained to ensure clear visibility during bad weather. The delay between wiper sweeps is controlled by a relaxation oscillator, with the rheostat's resistance determining the period of operation.
Step-by-step explanation:
You must keep your windshield wipers in good operating condition because they are essential for maintaining visibility during bad weather. The significance of good wipers lies in their ability to quickly and effectively remove water, snow, and debris from your windshield, ensuring you can see the road and any potential hazards clearly.
Regarding windshield wipers and their operation, which involves electronics and mechanics, a relaxation oscillator is often used in the control mechanism. For example, if the period of the wiper blades needs to be 10.00 seconds, you would adjust the rheostat in the oscillator accordingly. The capacitor and rheostat (variable resistor) in this control system determine the delay between operations. With zero resistance, wipers would run non-stop, while at maximum resistance, there is a longer delay in the operation.
An example given talks about windshield wipers that use a 10.00-mF capacitor and a rheostat that can be adjusted up to 10.00 kΩ, where changing the resistance value affects the delay of the wiper operation.