Final answer:
Continuous hard braking on ice and snow often locks the front wheels, causing loss of steering, rather than stopping sooner or preventing brakes from freezing. Gentle braking is recommended to maintain control by utilizing static friction. In cold climates, salt is used on roads to reduce ice formation by lowering the freezing point of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuous hard braking on ice and snow often does not help you stop sooner. Instead, it risks locking the front wheels, which can cause a loss of steering control. This happens because when you brake hard, the tires can no longer rotate against the road surface, thus losing the grip necessary for steering and braking efficiently. Although braking creates heat, it does not typically prevent brakes from freezing; they are designed to function in cold temperatures. In contrast, a situation where more friction is desirable would be using winter tires on icy roads. These tires are made to create more friction to enhance grip.
When you are driving on slippery conditions like ice or snow, it is advised to brake gently to avoid wheel lockup. By allowing the tires to maintain some rolling traction, the car still responds to steering inputs, helping prevent accidents. This controlled braking takes advantage of static friction, which is higher than kinetic friction, thereby allowing for a smoother and more controlled stop.
Moreover, in colder climates, trucks spread salt on roads to lower the freezing point of water, which helps prevent ice formation and reduces the accumulation of snow and ice. This process of using a solute like salt to alter the freezing point of a solution is an application of colligative properties, important in understanding road safety during winter months.