What does braking rely on?

Braking relies primarily on the friction between the tires and the road. When a driver applies the brakes, the braking system works to reduce the speed of the vehicle, which is achieved by creating friction. This frictional force opposes the motion of the tires as they attempt to roll on the surface of the road.

Good tire-road contact is crucial for effective braking; it allows the vehicle to slow down or come to a stop safely. If the friction is insufficient, whether due to wet or icy conditions or worn-out tires, the vehicle might skid or have an extended stopping distance, leading to potential hazards.

While factors such as momentum, speed, and weight of the vehicle influence how fast the vehicle can stop or the distance it takes to stop, the actual mechanism that brings the vehicle to a halt is the frictional force between the tires and the road surface. Therefore, the reliance on friction is fundamental to the braking process.