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Forces

Braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly

  • 3 things to know
  • Physics Paper 2

Overview

The energy transfer when brakes are applied, how speed affects the braking force needed, how braking force sets deceleration, and the dangers of overheating brakes, skidding and large forces on passengers.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why do the brakes of a vehicle get hot when it stops?

Key term

How does the speed of a vehicle affect the braking force needed to stop it within a fixed distance?

Key term

Two identical cars stop in the same distance, but one is travelling twice as fast as the other. Which needs the greater braking force?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Describe the energy transfer that takes place when the brakes of a moving vehicle are applied.

    Model answer

    Work done by the friction force between the brakes and the wheels reduces the kinetic energy of the vehicle and raises the thermal energy store of the brakes.

  2. 2

    Why do the brakes of a vehicle get hot when it stops?

    Model answer

    Friction between the brakes and the wheels does work on the brakes, so their temperature rises.

  3. 3

    What happens to the kinetic energy of a car as it is brought to rest by its brakes?

    Model answer

    It is transferred away by the work done against friction, mostly heating the brakes and the surroundings.

  4. 4

    How does the speed of a vehicle affect the braking force needed to stop it within a fixed distance?

    Model answer

    The greater the speed, the greater the braking force needed.

  5. 5

    Two identical cars stop in the same distance, but one is travelling twice as fast as the other. Which needs the greater braking force?

    Model answer

    The faster car, because more kinetic energy must be removed over the same distance.

  6. 6

    How does increasing the braking force affect the deceleration of a vehicle?

    Model answer

    A greater braking force produces a greater deceleration.

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