Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants
Wouldn't braking hardest and shortest produce a benefit in that the rotor would reach a much higher temperature (than a longer softer braking period) and thus lose heat at a higher rate?
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The surface of the rotor would indeed reach a higher temperature if you brake harder and shorter during braking (conductivity of the rotor and the time scale is a factor there). But again, convection during braking is negligable, so any heat loss consideration to the environment is not an issue during that time interval. After braking, the temperature distribution across the rotor will equalize rapidly (since conduction is occurs much more faster than convection in this case), so focusing on how much kinetic energy is being dissipated is descriptive for the purposes of this discussion.