Final answer:
Activating the BOOST PUMP switches increases fluid pressure within a system, essential for maintaining fuel flow in engines or increasing the efficiency of hydraulic systems like power brakes and bulldozers.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the BOOST PUMP switches are pressed in, typically in an aviation or automotive context, you are activating a pump designed to increase the pressure of a fluid, often fuel, in the system. This is essential for ensuring the correct flow of fuel to the engine under various operating conditions. The boost pump serves to ensure sufficient fuel pressure, especially during critical phases like takeoff or in situations where the engine-driven pump is not sufficient.
In hydraulic systems, like those in power brakes or bulldozers, a boost pump helps to pressurize the hydraulic fluid, which then transmits force through the system. It is akin to a hydraulic press, where a small force on a small piston creates a large force on a larger piston, enabling the system to exert a significant amount of work with relatively little input, acting as a mechanical lever.
The concept can be seen in other applications as well, such as containing gases in a canister. If a pump is used to increase the amount of gas in a rigid container, the pressure within the container increases, illustrating how boost pumps contribute to systems by increasing pressure to meet operational needs or to provide additional power transmission.