P2 - Braking Flashcards
How do brakes work in terms of physics?
The brakes increase the friction force meaning the backwards force is larger than the forward so the vehicle slows down
What causes the braking distance to be larger?
A larger vehicle mass
A larger vehicle speed
Together this means a larger momentum because momentum = mass * velocity
Where does the kinetic energy of the vehicle go when it brakes?
Heat in the brake discs
What is the formula for kinetic energy?
1/2 * mass * velocity squared
What is stopping distance?
How far the vehicle will travel from when the driver decides to stop to when the vehicle stops
What are the parts of stopping distance?
Thinking distance
Braking distance
What is the reaction time?
The time between deciding to stop and putting a foot on the brake pedal
What is the thinking distance?
The distance the vehicle travels from when the driver decides to stop to when they put their foot on the brake pedal
What are the 5 factors that affect thinking distance?
Tiredness
Illness
No concentration
Taking alcohol / drugs
How fast you are going (more distance covered in your reaction time)
What is work done measured in?
Joules
What is the formula for calculating work done or energy transferred?
Work done or energy transferred = force * distance moved in direction of the force
What is braking distance?
The distance a vehicle travels after the brakes have been applied
What are the 4 factors that affect braking distance?
How fast you are going
How good your brakes are
How good the tyres are
How good the grip is
