5.3.10

Stopping Distance

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Stopping Distance

Stopping distance is the distance it takes a car to stop in an emergency (i.e. when the car is braking suddenly). Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.

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Thinking distance

  • The time it takes for a driver to react to a situation is their reaction time.
  • During this reaction time, the car carries on moving.
  • The thinking distance is the distance travelled between when the driver realises they need to brake and when they apply the brakes.
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Braking distance

  • The distance the car travels between the driver applying the brakes and the car coming to a stop.
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Typical stopping distances

  • For a car travelling at 20mph, a typical stopping distance is 12m.
  • For a car travelling at 50mph, a typical stopping distance is 53m.
  • For a car travelling at 70mph, a typical stopping distance is 96m.

Factors Affecting Thinking Distance

Several factors affect thinking distance. Some examples are:

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Tiredness

  • Tired drivers will react more slowly in an emergency.
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Distractions

  • Distractions will cause a driver to react more slowly in an emergency.
    • Examples include mobile phones or small children.
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Drugs or alcohol

  • Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol will react more slowly in an emergency.

Factors Affecting Braking Distance

Several factors affect braking distance. Some examples are:

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Initial car speed

  • The faster a car is travelling, the further it will travel before it comes to a stop.
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Road conditions

  • Wet or icy conditions will increase the braking distance.
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The condition of the car

  • If a car’s brakes or tyres are in poor condition, then the braking distance will increase.

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3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

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