| Brake operation is not abstract theory but a great | | | | energy are two sides of the same coin, which is heat |
| example of applied science. We can look at brake | | | | transfer. The primary job of a brake system is to |
| troubleshooting from two engineering | | | | dissipate heat. In our rush to troubleshoot today's |
| viewpoints-conversion of kinetic energy to thermal | | | | sophisticated braking systems, however, we often |
| energy, and the application of hydraulic principles. Let's | | | | jump past basic heat transfer to the high-tech realm |
| start with stopping power and then move to the | | | | of electronic controllers and computer programs. In |
| hydraulic applications. | | | | reality, the major factor that determines good or |
| The power to stop a vehicle comes from converting | | | | poor braking performance is simple friction. |
| kinetic energy to thermal energy. Kinetic and thermal | | | | |