Human Reaction Time + Stopping Distance

Question 1

What is the typical human time taken to react to a stimulus?

Answer 1

Between 0.20s-0.25s.

Question 2

What can the reaction time of a human be affected by?

Answer 2

• tiredness
• alcohol and drugs
• distractions
• age

Question 3

How can you measure reaction time?

Answer 3

Do the square root of:
2 x distance ruler falls
( DIVIDED BY )
gravitational field strength.

• Repeat to find the mean reaction time.

Question 4

What is the definition of thinking distance?

Answer 4

The distance the car travels whilst the driver reacts to the danger and brakes are applied.

Question 5

What is the definition of braking distance?

Answer 5

The distance the car travels whilst it is slowing down.

Question 6

How to calculate stopping distance?

Answer 6

Thinking dist + Braking dist

Question 7

What are the factors that cause braking distance to increase?

Answer 7

• if the amount of friction between tyre and road decreases.
• if the road is icy or wet
• if the brakes or tyres are worn
  -if the mass of the car is bigger

Question 8

Describe what happens when a force is applied to the brakes?

Answer 8

The kinetic energy is transferred to thermal energy and the vehicle comes to rest over a certain distance.