Question

The capacity of a brake depends upon

(a) The unit pressure between the braking surfaces,

(b) The coefficient of friction between the braking surfaces,

(c) The peripheral velocity of the brake drum

(d) All of the mentioned

This question was posed to me in an online interview.

The doubt is from Brakes and Dynamometers in chapter Brakes and Dynamometers of Machine Dynamics

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) All of the mentioned

To explain: The capacity of a brake depends upon the following factors :

1. The unit pressure between the braking surfaces,

2. The coefficient of friction between the braking surfaces,

3. The peripheral velocity of the brake drum,

4. The projected area of the friction surfaces, and

5. The ability of the brake to dissipate heat equivalent to the energy being absorbed.