section 1 - forces and motion

Question 1

what is the stopping distance? (definition and equation)

Answer 1

1. the total distance required to stop a car is called the stopping distance
2. stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance

Question 2

what are the two components of stopping distance?

Answer 2

1. thinking distance
2. braking distance

Question 3

what is a reaction time?

Answer 3

the time for a driver to react to a situation and apply the brakes

Question 4

what is the thinking distance? (definition)

Answer 4

the distance travelled between the driver seeing the hazard and applying the brakes

Question 5

what is the braking distance? (definition)

Answer 5

the distance taken to stop after the brakes have been applied

Question 6

finish the sentences:

Without friction, the __________ of a car would not grip the road. The friction between solid surfaces is used in brakes which slow down and stop moving ________________.

The greater the speed of a vehicle:

• the greater the _______________ needed to stop it in a certain distance; or
• the greater the _________ needed to stop it with a certain braking force.

Answer 6

Without friction, the ____tyres____ of a car would not grip the road. The friction between solid surfaces is used in brakes which slow down and stop moving __vehicles__.

The greater the speed of a vehicle:

the greater the _____distance__________ needed to stop it in a certain distance; or

the greater the ______braking force___ needed to stop it with a certain braking force.

Question 7

what makes the stopping distance greater? (5)

Answer 7

• the vehicle is travelling faster
• the driver’s reactions are slower (due to tiredness, drugs, alcohol)
• there are bad weather conditions
• the vehicle is poorly maintained
• the vehicle is heavier