GCSE Combined Science (AQA)

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Stopping Distance & Speed

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Forces Forces and motion

Stopping Distance & Speed

4:19 Stopping Distance
Spec 4.5.6.3.1
Previous Work Done by Braking Force Next Dangers of Large Decelerations
  • Faster cars have longer stopping distances.
  • Stopping distance is the distance traveled between the appearance of a need to stop and the car actually stopping.
  • Two cars with different speeds (30 mph and 60 mph) reacting to the same danger will have different stopping distances.
  • Both cars have the same reaction time and braking force; the only difference is their initial speeds.
  • Faster car has a longer stopping distance.
  • Stopping distance consists of two components: thinking distance and braking distance.
  • Thinking distance increases with speed; a faster car travels more distance during the driver's reaction time.
  • Reaction time remains constant, but a larger speed results in a larger thinking distance.
  • Braking distance also increases with speed; a faster car takes longer to decelerate and travels further.
  • Faster car has more speed to lose, resulting in a longer braking distance.
  • Stopping distances are considered when determining speed limits.
  • Factors influencing speed limits include the chance of sudden hazards, traffic density, junction frequency, and pedestrian crossings.
  • Speed limits are set to ensure cars can stop in time to avoid accidents.
  • Understanding stopping distances is important for estimating how speed changes affect stopping distances and for explaining speed limits.

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