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Lesson: Chapter 5 — Friction

5.4. Friction in practice 6 of 9

Question 6

How do the brakes of a bicycle stop it?

The right answer is the one marked above.

Rubber pads press against the rim, and the friction between them stops the wheel. Squeeze the lever harder and the pads press more tightly, which raises the normal reaction and so raises the friction.

Braking makes the pads and rim hotter, not cooler — that heat is the energy the bicycle has lost.

Answer the question to continue.