Terminal Velocity and Stopping Distances

Question 1

Why does friction help to slow things down?

Answer 1

Friction always acts in the opposite direction of the movement. To travel at a steady speed, the driving force needs to balance the frictional forces.

Question 2

Why do objects falling through fluids reach a terminal velocity?

Answer 2

Because as the speed increases, the friction builds up. This reduces the acceleration until the friction force is equal to the accelerating force.

Question 3

Which factors affect your total stopping distance?

Answer 3

The faster a vehicles going, the bigger breaking force it needs.

Question 4

How do you work out the total stopping distance?

Answer 4

The sum of thinking distance and breaking distance.

Question 5

Which two factors affect the thinking distance?

Answer 5

1. How fast you’re going.

2. Tiredness, drugs or alcohol.

Question 6

Which four factors affect breaking distance?

Answer 6

1. How fast you’re going
2. How good you’re breaks are
3. How good you’re tyres are
4. Grip - road surface, weather, tyres