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The Highway Code gives this information about the stopping distance of a car - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1

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The Highway Code gives this information about the stopping distance of a car. speed = 30 miles per hour thinking distance = 9 m braking distance = 14 m a) (i) Wha... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Highway Code gives this information about the stopping distance of a car - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1

Step 1

What is the stopping distance?

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Answer

The stopping distance is the total distance a vehicle travels while a driver reacts and then applies the brakes. It is the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distance. Given:

  • Thinking distance = 9 m
  • Braking distance = 14 m

Thus, the stopping distance can be calculated as:

extStoppingDistance=extThinkingDistance+extBrakingDistance=9extm+14extm=23extm ext{Stopping Distance} = ext{Thinking Distance} + ext{Braking Distance} = 9 ext{ m} + 14 ext{ m} = 23 ext{ m}

Therefore, the correct option is D 23 m.

Step 2

Complete the sentence

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Answer

The driver’s thinking distance is most likely to increase when:

  • A (the driver is tired) – Correct, because tiredness can impair reaction time.
  • B (there is ice on the road) – Incorrect, as this affects braking distance, not thinking distance.
  • C (the car is heavier) – Incorrect, as this is not a direct factor affecting thinking distance.
  • D (the car moves at a slower speed) – Incorrect, as slower speeds generally reduce thinking distance.

Thus, the correct option is A.

Step 3

Calculate the momentum of the car.

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Answer

Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity. It can be calculated using the formula:

extMomentum=extMassimesextVelocity ext{Momentum} = ext{Mass} imes ext{Velocity}

Given:

  • Mass = 800 kg
  • Velocity = 3.0 m/s

So,

extMomentum=800extkgimes3.0extm/s=2400extkgm/s ext{Momentum} = 800 ext{ kg} imes 3.0 ext{ m/s} = 2400 ext{ kg m/s}

Step 4

Calculate the work done by the braking force.

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Answer

Work done by a force is calculated using the formula:

extWork=extForceimesextDistance ext{Work} = ext{Force} imes ext{Distance}

Given:

  • Force = 600 N
  • Distance = 15 m

Thus,

extWork=600extNimes15extm=9000extJ ext{Work} = 600 ext{ N} imes 15 ext{ m} = 9000 ext{ J}

Step 5

Complete the sentence about work done by the brakes

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Answer

The work done by the brakes during braking is equal to:

  • A (the energy transferred) – Correct, as work done is a measure of energy transfer.
  • B (the stopping distance) – Incorrect; it relates but is not equal.
  • C (the acceleration) – Incorrect; acceleration is not directly related.
  • D (the thinking distance plus braking distance) – Incorrect; this sums distances, not work done.

Thus, the correct option is A.

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