Physics Topic Practice

Stopping Distance and Driver Reaction | GCSE Physics

Total stopping distance is the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distance.

Name the two components of stopping distance.

What is Stopping Distance and Driver Reaction | GCSE Physics?

"The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it comes to a complete stop."

Question 1

What is the resultant force on an object if a 10N force acts right and a 4N force acts left?

Question 2

Which of these is the correct vector equivalent of 'Distance'?

Question 3

An object moves at a constant velocity. What is the resultant force?

Question 4

What is the unit of the spring constant (k)?

Safe Stopping

Thinking Distance: Distance travelled during the driver's reaction time.

Braking Distance: Distance travelled while forces are applied by the brakes.

Typical reaction times vary from 0.2s to 0.9s.

As speed increases, both thinking and braking distances increase.

Exam Tip

Equation Drill: Stopping Distance = Thinking Distance + Braking Distance. Easy to remember, vital for calculation marks.

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