Breaking distance

Question 1

What happens when the brake pedal is pushed

Answer 1

Causes brake pads to be pressed onto the wheels. This contact causes friction, which causes work to be done

Question 2

What happens between the work done and the breaks

Answer 2

The wheels transfer energy from the kinetic energy stores of the wheels to the thermal energy stores of the brakes.
The brakes increase in temperature.

Question 3

What happens when a vehicle goes faster

Answer 3

It will have more energy in its kinetic store, so more work needs to be done to stop it. This means that a greater braking force is needed to make it stop within a certain distance

Question 4

What does a larger breaking force mean and why is it dangerous?

Answer 4

A larger deceleration.
Very large deceleration’s can be dangerous because they may cause brakes to overheat or could cause the vehicle to skid.