Final answer:
Continuous hard braking on ice and snow typically causes the front wheels to lock, resulting in a loss of steering control due to reduced traction. More friction is desirable in situations like wearing sports footwear for better grip, much like winter tires on ice. The process of braking involves converting kinetic energy into heat due to friction with the brake components.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuous hard braking on ice and snow often locks the front wheels causing the loss of steering control. This happens because the brakes apply a force on the tire that exceeds the tire's ability to maintain grip on the slippery surface, leading to skidding. When the tires skid, they lose traction, making it impossible to steer the vehicle effectively. The use of tires designed for ice and snow increases friction, which is desirable to maintain control of the vehicle. An example of where more friction is desirable is in sports footwear, such as soccer cleats or running spikes, where good traction is necessary to perform effectively without slipping.
Trucks spreading salt on the roads do so because salt lowers the freezing point of water, which helps to prevent ice formation, making the roads safer to drive on in winter. Additionally, when the car brakes and comes to a stop, the kinetic energy converts into heat because of friction between the brake pads and rotors. This understanding of energy transformation and the role of friction is essential when driving in cold conditions where ice can seriously affect safety and vehicle control.
Considering the relationship between static and kinetic friction, you learn while driving that easing up on the brake pedal allows you to take advantage of the static friction that is generally higher than kinetic friction, providing a smoother stop. During continuous hard braking, especially on icy surfaces, once kinetic friction takes over as the wheels lock, control is significantly reduced, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.