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Loss in kinetic energy

  1. Aug 14, 2006 #1


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    What formula should i use to calculate
    the loss in kineti energy during braking and
    the power dissipated as heating in the brake
    do i just use ke=1/2mv^2 and work done =force x distance ?
  2. jcsd
  3. Aug 14, 2006 #2

    Andrew Mason

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    Yes. The braking force x stopping distance (assuming constant braking force) is equal to the loss of kinetic energy of the vehicle.

  4. Aug 14, 2006 #3
    And if it's not constant, you can integrate the dot product of the force vector and the differential x-vector.

    If you want the power of heat generation, you will need to find how much energy is being dissipated (i.e. how much kinetic energy is lost) per unit of time.

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