Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
FRICTION AND BRAKING
20 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 10 · Normal
Question 1
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A cyclist travels along a road on a foggy morning. Suddenly, a dog runs out in front of them. The cyclist has good brakes and new tyres, but still almost hits the dog.
Explain two reasons, using your knowledge of physics, why the cyclist nearly failed to stop in time. (3)
Question 2
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A car and a heavy lorry both apply their brakes with the same force while travelling at the same speed on a dry road. The lorry travels further before stopping.
Explain why the lorry takes longer to stop than the car, even though the braking force is the same.
Question 3
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two factors (other than the speed of the vehicle) that can increase the thinking distance of a driver.
Question 4
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by (a) thinking distance, and (b) braking distance of a vehicle.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by thinking distance.
(b)[1 mark]State what is meant by braking distance.
Question 5
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A driver is travelling at night when it begins to rain heavily. Describe and explain how both the thinking distance and the braking distance are affected, giving a reason for each.
Question 6
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the stopping distances for a car with good tyres and brakes on a dry road:
Speed (mph) Thinking distance (m) Braking distance (m) Total stopping distance (m) 30 9 14 50 15 38 (a) Complete the table by calculating the total stopping distance for each speed.
(a)[2 marks](b)[1 mark](b) Use the table to state how the total stopping distance changes as the speed increases.
Question 7
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain how each of the following factors affects the braking distance of a vehicle. (a) The mass of the vehicle (b) The speed of the vehicle (c) The condition of the road surface (d) The condition of the tyres
(a)[1 mark](b)[1 mark](c)[1 mark](d)[1 mark]Question 8
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A van is travelling along a dry road at 40 mph. The thinking distance is 12 m and the braking distance is 24 m.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the total stopping distance for the van.
(b)[2 marks]If the driver was distracted, the reaction time would increase. Explain what would happen to the stopping distance.
(c)[1 mark]The braking distance would remain the same. Explain why.
Question 9
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of the following would NOT increase the stopping distance of a car?
- A.Well-inflated tyres with deep tread
- B.Wet and icy road surface
- C.Driver is tired
- D.Increased vehicle speed
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A cyclist is riding at 20 mph on a dry road. The thinking distance for the cyclist is 6 m. The braking distance is also 6 m. The road suddenly becomes wet.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the total stopping distance for the cyclist on the dry road.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what will happen to the stopping distance if the road becomes wet. State the reason.