Brake shoes stop a car by exerting pressure on which component?

The correct response pertains to the functioning of brake shoes, which are essential components in a drum brake system. Brake shoes stop a car by exerting pressure on the drum, which is shaped like a cylinder and rotates as the wheels turn. When the brake pedal is pressed, the brake shoes are forced outward against the inner surface of the drum, creating friction that slows down or stops the wheel's rotation.

The other choices are not accurate in this context. For instance, rotors are part of disc brake systems, where brake pads exert pressure on them, not brake shoes. The term 'brakes' is too general and does not specify which type of braking mechanism is at play. Lastly, tires are the contact points between the car and the road and do not interact directly with the brake shoes to stop the vehicle. Therefore, the drum is the component that brake shoes specifically act upon to achieve braking.