Question

A truck driver sees a dog running into the road. He immediately brakes. Describe the energy transfers in the truck as it comes to a stop.

Answer 1

Answer: find the answer in the explanation as kinetic energy converts to potential energy.

Explanation:

Before the truck driver sees a dog running into the road, The mechanical energy state of the truck will be kinetic energy at maximum.

Immediately he applied the brakes, the mechanical energy of the truck will be combination of kinetic energy and potential energy.

The kinetic energy will gradually decrease as potential energy continue to increase till it reaches maximum potential energy.

The truck will come to a stop at maximum potential energy