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What happens when brakes act?
Braking distance is the distance travelled from when the brakes begin to act until the vehicle stops. Friction in the brakes transfers energy from the vehicle’s kinetic energy store to thermal energy, heating the brakes and surroundings. The braking force does work over the braking distance. The illustrative conditions compare A: a dry road and good tyres, B: an icy road, and C: worn tyres. Reduced tyre–road grip can reduce effective braking and increase stopping distance.
