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GCSE Stopping Distances

The stopping distance of a vehicle is the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distance. The thinking distance is dependent on the driver's reaction time, while the braking distance depends on factors like the car's braking system and road conditions. Stopping distance increases with speed due to longer thinking and braking distances.

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146 views2 pages

GCSE Stopping Distances

The stopping distance of a vehicle is the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distance. The thinking distance is dependent on the driver's reaction time, while the braking distance depends on factors like the car's braking system and road conditions. Stopping distance increases with speed due to longer thinking and braking distances.

Uploaded by

wafaawienat
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GCSE

STOPPING DISTANCES

The distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a stop is dependent on both the reaction time
of the driver (which affects the thinking distance) and the braking distance of the vehicle.

1. Define the stopping distance of a vehicle.

2. The stopping distance of a vehicle is the sum of two different distances.

a. Name and describe one of the distances

b. Name and describe the other distance

3. Write down four reasons why a driver’s reaction time might be delayed.

4. As well as the driver’s capacity to react, write down and explain something else that
the thinking distance is dependent on.

5. Imagine a car is braking. Write down three things that might affect the braking
distance.

6. Write down the equation for stopping distance in terms of the two distances given as
answers in question 2.

gcsephysicsonline.com/stopping-distance
7. Briefly describe an experiment to test the reaction time of a person.

8. Write down the equation for speed in terms of distance and time.

9. Hence write down the proportionality relationship between distance and speed while
the driver reacts to put the brakes on (reaction time).

10. Write down the equation for the kinetic energy of the car travelling at velocity, v.

11. Describe the relationship between the initial kinetic energy of the car and the work
done by the brakes on the wheels.

12. A student claims that stopping distance increases linearly with speed. Explain whether
their claim is correct or not.

gcsephysicsonline.com/stopping-distance
gcsephysicsonline.com/stopping-distance

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