Braking
In an emergency, a driver must bring their vehicle to a stop in the shortest distance possible.
Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
This is when:
- thinking distance is the distance a vehicle travels in the time it takes for the driver to apply the brakes after realising they need to stop
- braking distance is the distance a vehicle travels in the time after the driver has applied the brake
Reaction times
Reaction times vary from person to person, but are typically 0.2 seconds (s) to 0.9 s. A driver's reaction time can be affected by:
- tiredness
- A substance that can change chemical reactions in the body.
- A depressant that can be found in wines, spirits and beers. Also known as ethanol.
- distractions
Longer reaction times increase the thinking distance when stopping from a given speed.
There are different ways to measure reaction times. One simple method involves dropping a ruler between someone's open thumb and forefinger. The further the ruler falls before being stopped, the higher the reaction time of the person grabbing the ruler. The ruler can be marked in s rather than in mm.
Braking distance
The braking distance of a vehicle can be affected by:
- poor road and weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads
- poor vehicle conditions, such as worn brakes or worn tyres
- a greater speed
- the car's mass – more mass means a greater braking distance
When a force is applied to the brakes of a vehicle, there is The amount of energy it takes to do a task. Measured in joules (J). For example, the work done in raising a mass through 10 m would be equal to the gain in potential energy of the mass. by the A force that opposes or prevents movement and converts kinetic energy into heat. between the brakes and the wheel. This reduces the Energy which an object possesses by being in motion. of the vehicle, slowing it down and causing the temperature of the brakes to increase.
The faster a vehicle travels, the greater the braking force needed to stop it in a certain distance. A greater braking force produces a greater Slowing down or negative acceleration, eg the car slowed down with a deceleration of 2 ms⁻².. Large decelerations may cause the brakes to overheat, and the driver may also lose control of the vehicle.