What happens to kinetic energy during the braking process?

During the braking process, the kinetic energy of a vehicle is primarily converted into thermal energy. When brakes are applied, the kinetic energy, which is associated with the motion of the vehicle, must be dissipated to slow it down. The braking system achieves this by using friction, typically between brake pads and rotors in disc brakes, or between shoes and drums in drum brakes.

As the brakes engage, friction generates heat, effectively transforming kinetic energy into thermal energy. This heat is what may cause the brake components to warm up during use. The conversion process is crucial for slowing down or stopping the vehicle; without it, the energy would not dissipate, and the vehicle would continue to move at the same speed.

The other options do not accurately describe what happens to kinetic energy during braking. Kinetic energy does not increase or stay constant; it must decrease as the vehicle slows down. Additionally, while potential energy is a form of energy related to the position of an object within a gravitational field, during braking, kinetic energy does not convert into potential energy in a direct manner. Instead, it transforms into thermal energy due to the work done by the brakes to reduce speed.