Final answer:
The brakes slow down a car by applying a torque in the opposite direction of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is d) they apply a torque opposite the direction of motion.
When the brakes are applied in a car, they generate a torque in the opposite direction of the motion. This torque slows down the rotation of the wheels, resulting in the car's deceleration.
For example, when you press the brake pedal in a car, the brake pads are pressed against the brake rotors, creating a frictional force. This frictional force produces a torque that acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the wheels, ultimately slowing down the car.