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5.6.3.1Stopping distance

AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Higher tier · Forces › Forces and motion › Forces and braking

Practise Stopping distance. 16 exam-style questions plus unlimited generated ones on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.

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What is meant by the braking distance of a car?
The distance travelled under the braking force.

Sample questions

Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.

Question 1Easy4 marks
(a) What is meant by the thinking distance of a car?
Tick (✓) one box.[1]
  • The distance travelled during the driver’s reaction time
  • The distance travelled while the brakes are applied
  • The total distance needed to stop
  • The distance between the car and the car in front
(b) What is meant by the braking distance of a car?[1]
(c) A car has a thinking distance of 12 m and a braking distance of 24 m.
Calculate the stopping distance of the car.[1]
(d) For a given braking force, how does the stopping distance change if the speed of the car increases?[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: The distance travelled during the driver’s reaction time
(b) Answer: The distance travelled under the braking force.
  • the distance the car travels under the braking force (after the brakes are applied)
(c) Answer: 36 m
  • 36 (m)
(d) Answer: It increases.
  • it increases
Question 2Medium4 marks
A driver travels at 24 m/s with a reaction time of 0.65 s.
(a) Calculate the driver’s thinking distance.[2]
(b) The driver is using a hands-free phone, which increases their reaction time to 0.90 s.
Calculate the increase in thinking distance this causes.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: 15.6 m
  • s = 24 × 0.65
  • 15.6 (m)
(b) Answer: 6.0 m
  • increase in reaction time = 0.90 − 0.65 = 0.25 (s)
  • increase in thinking distance = 24 × 0.25 = 6.0 (m)
Question 3Hard9 marks
A driver sees a fallen tree 55 m ahead and makes an emergency stop. The car is travelling at 22 m/s. The driver’s reaction time is 0.65 s. When the brakes are applied, the car decelerates uniformly at 7.0 m/s2.
(a) Calculate the thinking distance.[2]
(b) Calculate the braking distance.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.[3]
(c) Determine whether the car stops before it reaches the tree.[1]
(d) On another day the driver is tired and has a reaction time of 1.2 s. The car travels at the same speed and decelerates at the same rate.
Show that the car would not stop before reaching the tree.[3]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: 14.3 m
  • s = 22 × 0.65
  • 14.3 (m)
(b) Answer: 34.6 m
  • 0 − 222 = 2 × (−7.0) × s
  • s = 484 ÷ 14
  • 34.6 (m)
(c) Answer: Yes: the stopping distance is 48.9 m, which is less than 55 m.
  • stopping distance = 48.9 m, which is less than 55 m, so the car stops (6.1 m) before the tree
(d) Answer: Thinking distance 26.4 m + braking distance 34.6 m = 61.0 m, which is more than 55 m.
  • thinking distance = 22 × 1.2 = 26.4 (m)
  • stopping distance = 26.4 + 34.6 = 61.0 (m)
  • 61.0 m is greater than 55 m, so the car does not stop in time

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