11BG PHYSICS
1. The distance was taken by a vehicle to stop once the driver sights danger is made from two distinct parts. Identify and distinguish these two parts with a brief explanation.
The stopping distance depends on two factors:
Thinking distance- It takes time for a driver to react to a situation. During this reaction time, the car carries on moving. Thinking distance is the distance traveled in between the driver realising he needs to brake and actually braking.
Braking distance - the braking distance is the distance taken to stop once the brakes are applied.
Therefore, stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance 2. Using these two parts as headers, tabulate the factors that can affect each part and discuss in detail the consequences.
Thinking distance
Braking distance
Speed - the greater the speed, the greater the thinking distance as the more time it takes the driver to apply the brakes. Drivers who travel at higher speeds have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them. It takes them longer to stop. And if there is a crash, it is more severe, causing greater injury to the occupants and any pedestrian or rider they hit.
Speed- the greater the speed, the greater the braking distance, as more time is needed for the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. A driver travelling at faster speeds will have covered more ground in between spotting a hazard and reacting to it. This can mean when the brakes are applied, a greater distance is needed for the vehicle to stop, but there is only a limited space left and, therefore high risk of colliding with objects ahead.
Energy levels/tiredness - tiredness can increase thinking distance as tiredness slows down reaction time and reflexes and poor concentration. Optimum energy levels can result in punctual reaction time.
Road conditions - this includes road alignment, road surface, road gradient, and weather conditions. The braking force that brings a car to a stop depends on the friction between the brakes and the wheels and the friction between the tyres and the road surface.
The most important friction for stopping a car occurs between the tyres and the road surface. If the road is wet or icy, then the friction is reduced, and the braking distance is increased. Dirt and gravel roads don't offer good traction and increase braking distance. Freshly paved asphalt offers the best adhesion. Road alignment and gradient affect the time it takes for the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop as they affect control over the vehicle. The steeper a road is, the longer it takes, and more friction is required to stop the vehicle. This can mean when the brakes are applied, a greater distance is needed for the vehicle to stop, but there is only a limited space left and, therefore, a high risk of colliding with objects ahead.
Alcohol and drugs - alcohol is a depressant, and so are most drugs, slowing down the activity of the central nervous syst...
