When a driver applies brakes to keep a car going downhill at constant speed and constant kinetic energy, the potential energy of the dar decreases. Where does this energy go? Where does most of it go with a hybrid vehicle?.
When a driver applies brakes to keep a car going downhill at a constant speed and constant kinetic energy, the potential energy of the car decreases. The energy that is lost is primarily converted into heat.
When you apply brakes, the brake pads create friction against the rotors, which slows down the rotation of the wheels. This friction converts the kinetic energy of the moving car into heat energy. As a result, the car slows down, and the potential energy decreases as the car loses height.
In a hybrid vehicle, the energy recovery system, also known as regenerative braking, plays a crucial role. When you apply brakes in a hybrid vehicle, the kinetic energy of the moving car is also converted into electrical energy. Instead of dissipating this energy as heat, regenerative braking systems capture the energy and store it in the battery for future use.
In a hybrid vehicle, the majority of the energy that is lost during braking is converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery. This energy can then be used later to power the vehicle during acceleration or other operations, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. This is one of the key advantages of hybrid vehicles over conventional ones, as it allows for the recapture of energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat.