# A cyclist rides along a flat road and then applies the brakes, coming to a complete stop. Explain the energy transfers that occur from the moment the cyclist is moving at constant speed to the moment they stop, identifying both the useful and waste energy transfers involved.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P5.1 Energy stores and transfers · Explain · 4 marks

> A cyclist travelling at constant speed on a flat road squeezes the brake levers, causing the brake pads to press against the wheel rims. The cyclist slows down and eventually stops.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The moving cyclist has kinetic energy stored in the kinetic energy store
2. When the brakes are applied, friction acts between the brake pads and wheel rims
3. Kinetic energy is transferred to thermal/heat energy (in the brakes/wheels/surroundings)
4. The heat energy transferred to the surroundings is a waste energy transfer because it does not serve the purpose of the system / energy is dissipated

## Key terms

- [waste energy transfer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/waste-energy-transfer)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-cyclist-rides-along-a-flat-7e876c8c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.