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The thinking distance and braking distance for a car vary with the speed of the car - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 1
The thinking distance and braking distance for a car vary with the speed of the car. Explain the effect of two other factors on the braking distance of a car. Do n... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The thinking distance and braking distance for a car vary with the speed of the car - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Factor 1: Poor Condition of Tyres
Answer
The condition of the vehicle's tyres significantly impacts the braking distance. If the tyres are worn out or improperly inflated, they provide less traction on the road surface.
As a result, the friction between the tyres and the road decreases, which means the car requires a longer distance to come to a complete stop. This increased stopping distance is due to the reduction in effective braking force caused by decreased friction.
Step 2
Factor 2: Increased Mass of the Car/Passengers
Answer
An increase in the mass of the car or the number of passengers leads to a higher kinetic energy of the vehicle, as described by the equation:
where (m) is the mass and (v) is the speed.
The greater the kinetic energy, the more work must be done to stop the vehicle. Therefore, an increase in mass means that more distance is required to reduce the car’s momentum to a stop, consequently leading to an increased braking distance.